The Lady Lions started the meet off with a bang by bringing home a state title in the 200-yard medley (1:58.01). After the initial relay win, Gerwick said they felt the momentum building.
"From there, every one of my swimmers slowly started taking time off and doing well," he said. "You kind of sensed it during the middle of the meet that we're going to win this."
The relay teams went on to also win gold in the 200-yard freestyle (1:48.67) and the 400-yard freestyle (4:03.90) to sweep the top of the podium in the relay events.
In the individual events, it was a big year for freshmen Janey Leiker and Emily Tomlinson. Taking second in the 200-yard freestyle (2:01.59) and third in the 100-yard butterfly (1:01.42) events was Leiker. While Tomlinson finished as the state runner-up in the 50-yard freestyle (26.29) and 100-yard breaststroke (1:11.26).
Other top finishers included state runners-up Bryant (100-yard freestyle – 58.89) and Serenity Stepanik (100-yard backstroke – 1:06.33).
"Every one of them rose to the occasion," Gerwick said. "It was a team effort. Also, the community and the support I had from the parents of these kids was absolutely wonderful for me."
On the boys’ side, the team finished fourth overall with a score of 170.5 with just five swimmers competing.
"All of the boys really stepped up," Gerwick said.
Senior Gavin Gerwick, who is Billy's son, led the charge for the boys as he swam to a pair of individual titles. Gavin took gold in the 200-yard individual medley (1:57.13) and the 100-yard breaststroke (59.56). The state championships come after a run of second-place finishes in his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons.
"This was his year," Gerwick said. "He's worked so hard for four years and he rose to the occasion. He's never gotten to stand at the top of the podium, and he was just hoping to do it in one event. He couldn't be more excited; it was just awesome to see him finish first this time."
The boys relay teams took third in the 200-yard medley (1:54.57) and the 200-yard freestyle (1:41.36).
As Gerwick looks towards next season, he will have to replace the talents of his son Gavin, Luke Henson, Layla Faysal and Paityn Smith but has a solid core returning for the 2023 season.
"I've got high expectations for the next few years," Gerwick said.
Full Results – Girls
200-yard Freestlye
Janey Leiker (State Runner-Up) – 2:01.59
Layal Faysal (8th) – 2:27.05
Sydney Crane (13th) – 2:35.22
200-yard Individual Medley
Serenity Stepanik (5th) – 2:28.97
Libby Haglin (9th) – 2:59.75
50-yard Freestyle
Emily Tomlinson (State Runner-Up) – 26.29
Paityn Smith (10th) – 29.09
100-yard Butterfly
Janey Leiker (3rd) – 1:01.42
Hannah Bryant (5th) – 1:05.32
100-yard Freestyle
Hannah Bryant (State Runner-Up) – 58.89
Layla Faysal (8th) – 1:04.41
Paityn Smith (12th) – 1:06.29
100-yard Backstroke
Serenity Stepanik (State Runner-Up) – 1:06.33
Sydney Crane (10th) – 1:18.10
100-yard Breaststroke
Emily Tomlinson (State Runner-Up) – 1:11.26
Full Results – Boys
100-yard Butterfly
Gage Gerwick (12th) – 1:11.27
100-yard Backstroke
Gage Gerwick (14th) – 1:13.04
100-yard Breaststroke
Gavin Gerwick (State Champion) – 59.56
Rowan Stepanik (8th) – 1:14.66
Luke Henson (10th) – 1:16.44
