February 24, 2000
Calvert swimmers off to state meet
By Andy Cole
Sports Writer
It seems a little strange that years of sacrifice, pressure and accomplishments will come down to the short amount of time it takes to swim one event or dive off a board.
That's the situation that Ellen Ewald, Jessica Ewald and Marcia Corthell of Calvert find themselves in the next three days as they get ready to become the first swimmers in Calvert history to compete in the state tournament.
The event will be held at Branin Natatorium in Canton. The Ewald sisters will compete in the 100 breaststroke early Saturday. The finals begin at 6 p.m., and the breaststroke will be the second-to-last event. Corthell is in action today, as diving will be held from 9 a.m.-noon.
"The accomplishments of these three have had a definite impact on the rest of the team," Calvert coach Jan Stover said. "We haven't had time to talk about it much, but I certainly think that when they get there, they can hold their own and have a great deal of pride that they got to that level."
All three made sacrifices of time in the off-season to get to where they are. The Ewalds, daughters of Columbian and YMCA coach Peggy Ewald, swim on the YMCA circuit and on U.S.S. teams. Corthell, limited to three practices a week here in Tiffin, looked to Bowling Green and Toledo's pool to get herself more ready.
"They're tremendously dedicated athletes," Stover said. "Peggy has done so much with Ellen and Jessica with the Y and with the off-season swimming.
"In many ways, the girls are working at a disadvantage to some of the girls they're competing against because they didn't get the use of the pool all the time the way some of these schools do. The YMCA does a great job and gives us as much time as they can during the season, and the rest is up to the girls. They know that and they respond to that."
It's been a four-year wait for both Ellen and Marcia. Ellen has qualified for the districts every season, and Marcia began diving when she was a freshman. Jessica is a sophomore.
Ellen and Jessica also may have made history at the Bowling Green State University districts. It is believed they're the first sister team to place 1-2 in an event. Ellen finished the 100 breast in a school record time of 1:08.05, and Jessica was next in 1:08.81. Corthell qualified for the state tournament with a diving score of 337.55.
According to the Ewald sisters, much of the reason they finished 1-2 at the district is that they were there for each other all year long in the same events.
"It was definitely a little bit of pressure," said Ellen, about competing with her sister. "It always made me work harder, and it's made me better having someone on my heels. I've been so close to making it to state in other years, this is definitely what I've been working for.
"It's exciting for me. I'd like to finish in the top eight of the final heat. The only girls I've competed against who will be there are from our district, so it'll be tough."
Jessica says that her or her sister wouldn't be there without the challenge they've provided for each other.
"It's been pretty neat," Jessica said. "I think we challenge each other. I had a good feeling that I could get second last weekend because she was seeded first and I was seeded third. It was a good feeling to do what we did, and it's the first time a pair of sisters has finished first and second there.
"Getting to this level has been a goal for all of us since the beginning of the season. I'm going to do the best I can and just have fun and enjoy the experience of it.
"It's exciting to go when no one else from our school has gone before, and I think it will be a great confidence builder for the team for next year."
No matter how the girls do this weekend, Corthell believes that it will be a great experience for the girls and the program just to be there.
"I was pretty sure I could make it this year, but I wanted to make sure," Corthell said. "I practiced in Bowling Green on Sundays and Toledo when I could and at the YMCA here three times a week.
"I've been waiting all through high school to get this chance. I want to do my best and see where I end up. I'm so happy that I just get to go."
Stover sees this as an event the rest of the Seneca program can build on. After finishing ninth in the district, the highest placement ever for a Calvert team, Stover sees good things on the horizon.
"I hope getting to state gives Marcia the confidence that she's done very well," Stover said. "I think sometimes, our kids think that they're not as good as kids from other schools because we get beat in dual meets, but depth has more to do with it. This will help our kids realize how good they are and how good they can be."
Being a diver, Corthell worked a lot with coach Sarah Berka, who coaches diving for both Columbian and Calvert, and works credits Berka in part for much of the success that she's had.
"Sarah's been great all year, pushing me and encouraging me," Corthell said. "A lot of this is thanks to Sarah. We're planning on putting a new dive in, just to do it in a meet situation. I think it's going to be interesting just seeing where I end up."
Both the Ewalds expressed an interest to continue swimming in college.
"I'll probably have to step it up to swim at the college level," Ellen said. "It'll be a little different from what I'm doing right now."
"I'd like to swim in college and go as far as I can go with it," Jessica said. "Right now, I'm just happy to get the experience."
"I think mom's really proud of us," she added.