Caden DeLay continued his impressive start to the season with another Missouri State Swimming and Diving Championships automatic state cut in a dual Tuesday, Aug. 29 at Platte County Community Center North. He took down another school record in the process.
Already qualified for state in two events, Platte County’s senior star became the first swimmer in program history to go under 50 seconds in the 100-yard freestyle. DeLay won the race in a time of 49.91 gave him a state cut and bettered the school record of Chad Stephensen set back in 2006 by nearly a full second (50.72).
DeLay previously qualified for state in the 100 breaststroke and 50 freestyle. He set the school’s breaststroke record twice last season.
Park Hill won eight of 12 events to better Platte County in the team scores. The Trojans finished with 185 points with Jordan Timmerman (200 freestyle), Zack O’Conor (200 medley), Mark Foster (1-meter diving), Nick Dieffenbach (500 freestyle) and Alex Dunlevy (100 breaststroke) their individual winners.
Platte County totaled 124 points.
DeLay won both of his individual events, posting a consideration state cut in the 100 backstroke (58.31). Jerry Orozco, another Platte County senior, won the 100 butterfly in 59.64 for his fourth state consideration cut of the season.
Alex Beall won the 50 freestyle in a consideration time of 24.94, while also reaching consideration status in the 500 freestyle, finishing in 5:31.19 behind Dieffenbach.
Starting this season, swimming will have two classifications at state, and to help ensure full fields of 32 swimmers in each event, consideration status was added to the qualification process. The fastest consideration times will be used to fill any open spots at state, meaning some swimmers could advance this season without an automatic cut.
Last season, DeLay competed in the 100 breaststroke and placed 16th, becoming just the second swimmer in Platte County history to earn a consolation state medal. This season marks the first time he has qualified in multiple individual events.
Park Hill South 131, St. Pius X 26
The Panthers dominated a quick dual Tuesday, Aug. 29 at Park Hill District Aquatic Center in Kansas City, Mo.
With swimmers competing in their off events, Park Hill South still won all 12 events. Jackson Garrett (50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle relay, 400 freestyle relay) contributed to four of those, while Finn Hefferren (200 freestyle), Cody Beeler (200 medley), Isaac Smith (100 butterfly), Zander Livingston (500 freestyle), Nate Shaw (100 backstroke) and Chris Wissman (100 breaststroke) also had individual victories for the Panthers.