The state swimming & diving meet begins in full earnest this week and the Mahoning Valley has more than 30 entries.

Ten schools throughout Mahoning, Trumbull & Columbiana counties have representation.  More than 20 individuals are in the competition along with seven relay teams.

"It feels different because I qualified las year and do it again for a second time is pretty neat," said Boardman's Gina DiNapoli who's competing in the 100 butterfly & girls 200 medley & 200 freestyle relays.

The Spartans are sending three individuals and four relay teams including Landon Mitchell who's part of the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays.

"Staying together as a team and this core group is like a family to me," said Mitchell adding his three other relay members means the world to him.

Canfield's Hayden Price is in the state meet for a third time competing in the 200 individual medley and 100 backstroke.

"It's a great atmosphere and I worked really hard for this and I know I can do it," he said. Price said its tough competition and everyone is going out to do their best.

Poland's Ian Vandervort is back for a second year at the state meet and knows the nerves will creep in. 

"Last time I was here with three other guys who really pushed me, this time I'm on my own, so I don't know what to expect. He's competing in the 50 & 100 freestyle.

All the participants worked hard to get to this point and need to take care of business a couple of more times.

"It's all about the work. You have to  put in a bunch of work during the season and in the post season you get the results,"said DiNapoli.

"The tournament season, it's great, it's challenging but as you keep doing it, it gets easier and easier," concluded Price.

All the local entries are listed below:

 

BOARDMAN

RJ Keating - Diving

Boys 200 Medley Relay

Boys 200 Freestyle Relay

Girls 200 Medley Relay

Girls 200 Freestyle Relay

Alex Taylor - 200 Freestyle & 50 Freestyle

Gina DiNapoli - 100 Butterfly

 

HOWLAND

Jules Dewberry - 100 Breaststroke

Pete Delida - 200 Freestyle

Riley McBride -  200 Individual Medley & 100 Breaststroke

Luke Delida - 100 Freestyle & 50 Freestyle

Boys 200 Freestyle Relay 

 

 

BEAVER LOCAL

Cole Long - 200 Individual Medley & 100 Backstroke

 

COLUMBIANA

Preston Buckingham - 200 Individual Medley & 100 Breaststroke 

 

 

CANFIELD

Boys 200 Medley Relay

Hayden Price - 200 Individual Medley & 100 Backstroke

Fallon Amedia - Diving 

Lyla Gray - 100 Breaststroke 

 

URSULINE

Andy Ward - 50 Freestyle & 100 Freestyle 

Theresa Garano - 100 Freestyle 

 

POLAND

Ian Vandervort - 50 Freestyle & 100 Freestyle

McKenna Daley - Diving 

 

SALEM

Ryan Folger - 100 Breaststroke & 100 Fly 

 

GIRARD

Addison Silverman - Diving

 

SPRINGFIELD

Riley McCombs - 200 Individual Medley & 100 Breaststroke 

Paige McCombs - 100 Freestyle & 100 Butterfly 

Tres Hively - 500 Freestyle & 100 Backstroke 

Girls 200 Medley Relay