Marshall swimmers clash with tough field at Columbia meet

The Heart of America Swim Club's Khris Ward posted three Division I-qualifying times during the Columbia Summer Invitational. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

COLUMBIA -- Three all-staters from Marshall High boys' team found themselves in deep water over the weekend at the Columbia Swim Club Summer Invitational.

It's not that the Mizzou Aquatics Center pool was anything other than regulation size, but the field was larger and older than is customary during the long course season.

So it was that recent MHS grad Mason Weber and two of his former teammates, senior Khris Ward and sophomore Tyler Nichols, were usually among the youngest entries in the 15-and-over age group -- which included swimmers well into their 20s, including some University of Missouri team members.

Competing for the Tsunami Swim Team of Kansas City, Weber finished in the top 10 in six events, with fields ranging from 40 to 87 contestants -- with a sixth place in the Open 1,500-meter freestyle (17:08.93). According to the USA Swimming national database, Weber -- an all-American soon to swim for Notre Dame -- hasn't been active in competition since the NCSA Junior Nationals three months ago.

Nichols' best showing was 11th out of 79 entries in the 15-and-over 100-meter breaststroke (1:12.74). He was also 20th out of 87 in the 200 individual medley (2:22.61), one of six events in which he achieved Zone-qualifying times.

Ward was 34th out of 87 in the 100 butterfly (1:04.18) and 44th out of 114 in the 50 free (26.93 seconds), in all three of his races meeting standards for the Missouri Valley Division I Championships.

Both Nichols and Ward were part of the Heart of America Swim Club of Marshall, which also sent 7-year-old Trey Beerman in the 10-and-under class. His best showing was 19th in the 50 fly (55.86).

The HASC also entered three 10-and-under girls -- with 9-year-old Allison Weber leading the trio by coming in eighth with a Division II time in the 100 fly (1:34.46) and 13th in the 50 fly (42.18). She wound up between 19th and 22nd in five more races in which up to 60 swimmers raced.

Olivia Quint, 10, was in the top-20 twice: 15th in the 100 fly (1:42.99) and 19th in the 100 free (1:26.38). Sister Audrey Quint, 8, was 33rd in the 200 free (3:56.48) for her highest placement.

Another sister act from Marshall swam for the Mid-Missouri Aquatics Club.

Lady Owls junior MacKenzie Godsey, 16, met the Division II mark in the 15-and-over 50 free (31.56).

Kameron Godsey, 14, was 12th in the 200 breast (3:12.12) and 16th in a field of 58 in the 14-and-under 100 breast (1:30.09). Regan Godsey, 8, had her best showing in the 100 breast (2:34.39), coming in 43rd.

The Heart of America's recreational squad will take part in the Mid-Missouri Conference meet Friday at Sedalia.