CANTON — Wilmington sophomore Ricky Dungan will swim one more time for the orange and black this season.
On Thursday at the Div. II Ohio State Swimming & Diving Championship at Canton McKinley’s CT Branin Natatorium, Dungan finished 12th overall in the 500-yard freestyle and will swim in the consolation heat Friday night.
“This is farther than I planned to make it,” Dungan said. “Making it here was the goal. Making it back (for Friday) is the cherry on top.”
In the 200-yard freestyle event, Dungan finished seventh in his heat in 1:47.79, not good enough to advance to Friday’s consolation or championship heats.
“I got tight on my last 75 or so,” said Dungan, a sophomore making his first appearance at the state meet.
But he got off to a good start, holding down fourth place after the first 50 yards.
“I went out smooth,” he said. “I usually start out fast. I got yelled at at sectionals. I went out with my fastest 100 I’ve ever gone … in my 200. So I’m always going out fast.”
Dungan said making the state in the 200 was icing on the cake to a strong second varsity season.
“The 200 wasn’t even a huge goal of mine it just happened along with all the hard work,” said Dungan. “The 500 was my main focus.”
In the 500, Dungan clocked in at 5:10.91, fifth in his heat. The top eight times from Thursday will compete for the 500 freestyle championship on Friday.
“I kinda figured I wouldn’t make the finals (top 8),” said Dungan. “But I knew I’d make it back to heat two. I felt great. I took out nice and smooth and had some left to get after it in the back half.”
