400 relay team nearly pulls off win for Oracles

The DCHS boys’ swim team lost a heartbreaker to the Northwestern Tigersharks last week 92-90. After taking an early lead with a second and third finish in the 200 medley relay and a first and second in the 200 free, the Oracles fell behind with a third and fifth in the individual medley. Even with a second and third in the 50 free the boys could not gain ground. A first in diving still put the boys down 42-35. A first and fourth in the butterfly and a second and third in the 100 free and 500 free still had the boys down 65-59. A first and third in the 200 free relay gained a tie at 69. A first and third in the backstroke gave the boys a 78 to 76 lead and a first and fourth in the breaststroke an 86 to 84 lead.

The meet came down to the final event, the 400 free relay. The winner would claim the meet victory. Leadoff man Nick Force’s season best time put the Oracles a half second behind and Brandon Miller’s season best time pulled ahead by just over 5 seconds. Jared Kelley gave Kyle Price a three and one half second lead. Even with a personal best time Price could not hold the lead as he was run down and passed by Northwestern senior Michael Vas, who swam over a second faster than ever before.

The DCHS girls also lost to Northwestern 127-54. The Lady Tigersharks had as many freshman, 13, as the Oracles had on the whole team. Shannon Kremer was a quadruple winner, while Mara Burton and Arielle Brosman were triple winners. Both teams are competitive, but more swimmers would be a tremendous boost to the programs.

The next meet will be Jan. 3 at home against Twin Lakes.