State swimming and diving
Where: C.T. Branin Natatorium, Canton McKinley High School
Today: 9 a.m., girls D-I diving; 5 p.m., girls and boys D-II swim prelims.
Friday: 9 a.m., girls and boys D-I swim prelims; 5 p.m., girls and boys D-II finals.
Saturday: 9 a.m., boys D-I diving; 4 p.m., girls and boys D-I finals.
CENTERVILLE — Ryan Slavik’s daredevil tendencies were apparent while he still was in the crib.
“He has always been very gymnastically inclined and agile,” said Ryan’s mom, Carla Slavik. “We thought he was way too young to get out of his crib, but he swung one leg out and then the other, and before we knew it, he was heading down the hall.”
That led to crazy dives that drew a crowd at the Oak Creek Swim Club. The Centerville High School senior will put his risk-taking tendencies to use at the state swimming and diving championships at Canton McKinley’s C.T. Branin Natatorium.
Slavik, who is making his third trip to state, was the boys Division I district champion and has the fourth highest qualifying score.
“It’s definitely different going in as a district champion because you will have some people gunning for you,” Slavik said. “But I’m trying to look at it as just another meet.”
Slavik only became a year-round diver last season. Carla Slavik, a former gymnast and cheerleader, expected nothing less from her youngest son.
“He was always wanting to try something new, and luckily, there were no major injuries,” she said.
His willingness to try new things made the Elks diver coachable.
“I look at Ryan as one of those one-in-a-million kids who has so much natural ability,” Centerville head diving coach Alice Licata said. “Once he was able to focus all of that energy and ability, it was amazing.”
Slavik’s district score (449.60) was the fourth highest score in the past decade. He also repeated as Greater Western Ohio Conference champ, scoring 288.90 for six dives, a conference record.
TOP SEEDS: Several area swimmers have the top state qualifying times.
Girls: Springboro senior Dani Barbiea in the D-I 50- (:23.04) and 100-yard (:50.54) freestyle, and the Panthers 200 medley relay (1:43.86).
Xenia sophomore Megan Carlson in the 200 individual medley (2:03.02).
Centerville junior Morgan Mullins has the top qualifying score (480.05) in D-I diving.
The Oakwood D-II 200 medley relay (1:45.68).
Boys: Beavercreek junior Jack Pohlmann leads the field in the D-I 100 breaststroke (:56.92).
Top-seeded Wilmington sophomore Josh Quallen has a one-second edge over Oakwood sophomore Cliff Goertemiller in the D-II 500 freestyle.
Tippecanoe junior Brett MacKenzie in the 100 backstroke (:51.67) and 200 IM.
Oakwood junior Buckley Powell leads the field in the 100 butterfly (:49.74).
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