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Although minus a state title, Radnor headed back to Delaware County celebrating a phenomenal season, a campaign that included its first Central League title since 1990 and a sixth consecutive District One Class AA crown.
"We did our best, but we didn’t have the numbers, especially on the second day," said Victor Johnson, whose team possessed a loaded first-day lineup. "We were optimistic, but we couldn’t keep up. It’s definitely a season we can look back on. We accomplished a lot."
Although Johnson managed a 12th-place showing in the 100 backstroke and Alex Brown recorded a 10th-place performance in the 500 freestyle, the Red Raiders couldn’t keep pace with Hershey, at least in the team scoring. Still, Radnor finished the meet with flair, taking the silver medal in the 400 freestyle relay, edging Hershey at the wall.
Behind the quartet of Jamie Algatt, Alex Brown, Johnson and Dan Kaiserian, Radnor cranked out a time of 3:14.36, the fastest mark in the county this season. Shady Side Academy captured top honors in the event, popping a time of 3:12.88.
"It was a great run," said Algatt, headed to Shippensburg to play football. "From the beginning of the season, we wanted the triple crown. We came close and that says something. We knew it would be tough. We’ll take this."
Boasting back-to-back podium finishes at states and three straight finishes in the top five of the team standings, Radnor -- regardless of classification -- has etched itself as one of the premier programs in the state. Including a medley-relay triumph and a 50 freestyle victory this season, courtesy of Johnson, the Red Raiders, during the last two years, have claimed six event championships at the state level.
With heavy graduation losses ahead, next season figures to be somewhat of a rebuilding year for longtime coach Tom Robinson. Tradition, though, is a powerful tool, and an element that should keep the Red Raiders flourishing.
"These guys defended like champions," Robinson said. "They did as much as they could do. They knew Hershey had the bodies and it would be tough. But they competed. The thing I’m hearing from other coaches around the state is that they’re impressed by our program. That’s nice to hear. We’ll take a step back next year, but we have some freshmen who will step in and contribute. We’ll be all right."
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Twenty-four hours after claiming a bronze medal in the 100 butterfly, Cody Clauser picked up 10th place in the 500 freestyle, posting a time of 4:45.38 in the consolation final. A Penncrest senior, Clauser grabbed the final berth in the evening session of the Class AAA event with a morning preliminary time of 4:46.99.
A two-time state qualifier, Clauser finished the season with Delco-leading times in the fly (51.76) and the 500 free. As impressive, the youngster also captured a Central League championship in the butterfly and the title in the fly at the District One Class AAA Championships.
In other Class AAA action, Katie McCann, a three-time All-Delco from Penncrest, finished 23rd in the 100 freestyle, recording a time of 54.38 in prelims. A state qualifier since her sophomore season, McCann topped the county charts this season in the 200 freestyle.
Headed for the University of Connecticut, McCann established herself as one of the finest freestyle performers in Delco in the last decade while simultaneously proving herself to be a premier athlete in the butterfly.
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Each making his first trip to states, Matt Nicolino (Upper Darby) and Matt Krouse (Haverford) failed to advance beyond the morning preliminaries, although the experience should prove valuable. A junior, Nicolino claimed 15th place in the 100 freestyle (48.83) and 14th place in the 100 breaststroke (1:00.82), an event in which he is the county leader.
As for Krouse, also a junior, the youngster took 17th place in the 100 free, clocking 49.53. The effort capped a solid season, a campaign that saw Krouse capture the Central league championship in the 100 free.
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At the Class AA level, Heile Flannery, a junior at Radnor, placed 17th in the 100 breaststroke, producing a time of 1:10.18. Saving her finest efforts for the end of the season, Flannery helped the Red Raiders capture top honors in the consolation final of the 200 medley relay during the opening night of the competition.
