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By KIM TRANELL Times Leader Sports Correspondent
Tuesday, February 08, 2000 Page: 1B
SCRANTON – One event.
Sometimes that’s all it takes to turn a meet around.
And in Monday’s meet between the Scranton Prep and Bishop Hoban boys swim
teams, that one event was the 500-yard freestyle. Even though the Argents went
2-3-4 in the event to take a two-point lead, Scranton Prep coach Joe Thier
attributed Prep’s outstanding performance in the final four events to Matt
Chorba’s lifetime best time.
“I think the next races followed that kind of energy,” he said. “We got
kind of down early, and I think we faced a lot of adversity, but we decided
not to let it get away.”
Chorba’s come-from-behind victory provided Prep with the momentum it needed
to go on to a 96-84 victory over Hoban at the University of Scranton.
The Cavaliers struggled early in the meet to come up with the points they
needed to take and keep the lead. Bishop Hoban, on the other hand, followed a
strategy that focused on gaining those key points.
“We just come in and try and match up with their swimmers,” Bishop Hoban
coach Bill Milz said. “We weren’t worried about times. We were worried about
places.”
For Hoban, Blake Powell and Justin Desalvo had strong races in the 200
freestyle, and Chris Milz stepped up in the 200 individual medley and 100
butterfly to give Hoban the lead going into the 100 freestyle.
Prep went 1-3-4 in the 100 freestyle to tie the score, and Chorba’s victory
in the next event created a visible change in the enthusiasm of his team.
“The seniors finally took charge, and that was the big difference,” Thier
said. “Finally, the leadership was coming through.”
The Cavaliers went on to tie the score again with a first-place finish in
the 200 freestyle relay. They took the lead for good when Eric Kopa edged
Hoban’s Mike Son in the 100 backstroke and Chris Moran finished third.
Prep secured the win by scoring victories in the final events, the 100
breaststroke and 400 freestyle relay.
“I knew this would be one of the best meets of the year, and I didn’t
expect anything else,” Thier said. “The electricity in the air shows that’s
exactly what it was, and I’m just glad it’s over.” Dunmore 75 Berwick 62
DUNMORE – Dunmore used its team depth to defeat Berwick.
The Dawgs won eight of 12 events, but were without entries in two races.
Brett Bausinger, Adam Travelpiece and Adam Cole each recorded four first-place
finishes for Berwick. Girls Meets Bishop Hoban 139 Scranton Prep 45
SCRANTON – Bishop Hoban recorded a 1-2-3 sweep in three events, and took
1-2 in four others on its way to a victory over Scranton Prep.
Liz Byron and Shana Keeler each scored four first-place finishes to help
keep the Argents undefeated. Maria Davis and Shandra Keeler were
triple-winners, and Justine Grilz and Shannon Mizikoski each scored two
firsts. Pittston Area 114 Meyers 72
PITTSTON – Carle Testa and Katie Shovlin led Pittston Area with three
first-place finishes each in a victory over Meyers.
Dana Klush, Kelly Curry and Katie Conlin followed with two wins each.
Beth Anne Owens won diving for the Mohawks. Wyoming Area 121 Coughlin 66
EXETER – Jennifer Whaley led Wyoming Area with four first-place finishes in
a victory over Coughlin in a non-conference meet.
Jill Powers and Kristy Wilcox each had three firsts for the Warriors, and
Sara Burns won diving.