MHS swimming: Owls win five events at Sedalia meet

Sophomore Tyler Nichols broke his own meet record in the 200-yard individual medley, the first of two wins for the Owls' swimmer at Sedalia. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

SEDALIA -- The Marshall boys' swim team began the Joe Arbisi Tiger Invitational at Sedalia by breaking the meet record, the first of its five victories Saturday.

With only eight swimmers, the Owls didn't have the depth to finish higher than third in the team standings with 192 points -- behind host Smith-Cotton (294 points) and North Kansas City (216) -- but claimed the most blue ribbons.

The combo of seniors Eden Elfrink and Khris Ward, junior Brock Musick and sophomore Tyler Nichols not only shaved .47 seconds off the meet record Marshall set a year ago in the 200-yard medley relay (1:46.33), but was also first in the 200 freestyle relay (1:36.58) by 3.55 seconds over the Tigers -- only .02 seconds off its winning pace of last year when all-American Mason Weber was part of the unit.

Nichols also beat his own mark of a year ago during his victory in the 200 individual medley (2:02.34), later winning the 100-yard backstroke (57.62 seconds) with a personal-best time -- Ward (59.88) placing second.

Another personal-best time fell when Musick won the 100 breaststroke (1:06.81), although he missed the state-qualifying standard by a mere .72 seconds. Musick also had his peak performance in the 200 free (2:00.01), lowering his time .64 seconds, coming in third.

Ward sliced 1.01 seconds off his time in the 100 free (52.08), finishing third. Elfrink has a pair of third-place races, in the 100 butterfly (1:04.37) and 100 breast (1:12.11), 6.21 seconds faster than his previous best in the latter event.

Sophomore Kirton Joshi likewise recorded personal bests in the 200 free (2:56.00) and 100 back (1:28.18), coming in 15th in both. The 400 free relay (4:54.24) of Joshi and juniors Quaid Hayob, Mike Marburger and Luke Milliron came in eighth.

The Owls will be off this weekend before resuming competition Oct. 31 at the Springfield Invitational.