One word summarized how Seymour swimming and diving coach Dave Boggs felt after the first meet: pleased.
The Owls boys and girls swimming and diving teams took their home-openers against Madison by scores of 135-36 and 144-30, respectively, on Tuesday night.
“It wasn’t bad for a first meet,” Boggs said. “We talked about getting off to a good start and not having a lot of mental mistakes. I didn’t really see any of them tonight. It wasn’t a bad first meet at all.”
On the girls side, the Owls finished in first place in all of their events.
The boys showed their dominance as well by placing first in all but the 100-meter butterfly. The Owls would have swept the meet had it not been for a disqualification in the event.
With a short-staffed squad, the Cubs didn’t compete in the diving portion of the meet.
“The kids really did well tonight. We talked about working hard throughout the season, doing our best with duel meets and gearing our program towards sectional and state. This is just a dress rehearsal for the show at the end of the season.”
Owls senior Jon Montgomery had a solid day for the boys, winning the 50 freestyle (23.59), 100 freestyle (52.64), 200 medley relay (1:52.64) and 400 freestyle relay (3:48.97).
Montgomery teamed up with Noah Bullard, Levi Pfaffenberger and Jake Vance in the 200 medley and Skyler Cash, Pfaffenberger and Bullard in the 400 freestyle.
“I like where we are right now, and I think we’re just going to get better.”
Entering the 2014-15 season, the girls team is coming off a 9-3 record. Last season, the boys troupe finished 8-4.
For the girls, Owls senior Allison Hayes had a strong start to the season. She finished in first place in the 100 freestyle (1:06.80), 200 freestyle (2:10.81), 200 freestyle relay (1:49.78) and 400 freestyle relay (4:04.69).
Nastya Yakovleyva, Kenzie Persinger and Katie Turner were also a part of the winning 400 freestyle squad, and the team of Hayes, Alexis Anders, Sarah Mongomery and Yakovleyva took the 200 freestyle.
“I always want to see them try to raise their level,” Boggs said. “You always need to keep raising that bar every year. Once you keep that bar at the same level, or lower it, you’re in trouble. If you’re not getting better every day you’re getting worse.”
On Dec. 4 both swimming and diving teams will head to Columbus North.