By Cort Reynolds
CANTON – Ada High School senior Lily Baumgartner finished on the podium at the state finals in two individual events to conclude her four-year run at the Ohio Div. II meet in Canton’s C.T. Branin Natatorium Friday evening.
Baumgartner finished third in the eight-girl, 100-yard backstroke A Finals Friday night in a time of 55.82.
Baumgartner also touched seventh at the 100 butterfly A Finals Friday evening in a time of 57.48.
“Lily did fantastic, and I am so proud of her,” said Ada head coach Ashley Robey. “She has put in a lot of work over the years to be able to podium every single year of her high school career, and it shows.
“She always keeps pushing,” she added. “She is a fighter.”
Shaker Heights sophomore Josephine Piliang won the 100 back in 54.69. Kettering Alter senior Emma Tenhundfeld came in second in 55.72. Senior Carrie Furbee of Grandview Heights cruised to first in the 100 fly A Finals with a time of 53.78.
Baumgartner took third amid a 32-girl field in the 100-yard backstroke preliminary heats Thursday evening. She swam a 56.10 to advance to the finals. Piliang touched first in the 100 back prelims in 54.92.
Baumgartner took fourth in the 100 back A Finals last year in 55.9.
Baumgartner took fifth out of 32 swimmers in the 100 butterfly prelims Thursday evening. She recorded a time of 56.75 to make it to the finals.
Furbee also won the 100 fly preliminary with a time of 53.36.
Baumgartner advanced to the state meet in Canton all four of her seasons. She will swim at Ohio University next season.