NERINX HALL SINKS CHS

Cape Central senior Grace Freeman did everything she could to try to win her final home high school meet Thursday.

The Lady Tigers were trailing by eight points heading into the meet's final event, the 400 freestyle relay. Central needed their two teams to finish 1-2 in the event. First place was already in the bank.

Freeman, who usually anchors Central's No. 1 team, was given the assignment to anchor Central's secondary team to give the Lady Tigers a chance at the extra four points it needed to win.

Freeman gained more than her share of ground -- or water -- but came up just short and the Lady Tigers ended their regular season with a 94-92 loss to Nerinx Hall.

"I knew that if it was humanly possible for anyone to catch that girl, Grace would do it," said Central coach Dayna Powell. "We needed about one more yard. And we had tired people on that relay team.

"We expected them to be as tough as they were. I thought we would beat them, even if it was by two points. But it went the other way."

In all fairness, Freeman -- a state qualifier in every individual event possible -- had already done her share. She took first in the 500 freestyle (5:35.91) and the 50 freestyle (25.21) and had anchored the 200 freestyle relay team in a first-place finish.

It was ironic that Nerinx arrived a half hour after the scheduled start, but ended up winning by a split second. The loss dropped Central to 9-4 on the season. Cape Central took first in every event but three -- diving, the medley relay and 100 breast stroke -- but still lost.

Following the narrow defeat, a hugfest ensued in and near the pool with everyone congratulating Freeman and four other seniors for their impressive careers.

Freeman and Jennifer Freeze, both seniors, are two of four Central swimmers who qualified for state in individual events. Mary Beth Owen and Jean Maguire, both juniors, are the other two.

"This was a very emotional meet, but (my four years here) has been an awesome experience," Freeman reflected. "There's nothing I'd rather be doing than swimming in high school."

Freeze, who took second in the 200 free (2:08.63), first in the 100 freestyle (:58.51) and was part of the winning 400 and 200 freestyle relay teams, shared similar sentiments.

"I cried on my way to the meet today," said Freeze, who received one hug after another as other swimmers departed the Bubble. "I never thought I'd be this good a swimmer."

In other action, Owen took first place in the 200 freestyle (1:59.54) and the 100 backstroke (1:02.52). Maguire took first in the 100 butterfly (1:05.87) and the 200 individual medley (2:27.45).

Freeze, Maguire, Owen and Kelley Green finished the 400 freestyle relay in 4:05.13. Freeze, Maguire, Owen and Freeman swam the 200 freestyle relay in 1:47.53.