Greater Cincinnati is typically well-represented among the top-tier swimmers and divers in Ohio. Follow along as The Enquirer tracks which athletes capture state championships at the OHSAA state swimming and diving tournament at Canton's C.T. Branin Natatorium Feb. 24-Feb. 27.
Ohio Division II
Grace Courtney, Wyoming
Wyoming junior Grace Courtney became the first 2021 state champion from Greater Cincinnati when she captured the Division II diving crown Wednesday afternoon in the tournament's first event.
Courtney led for the majority of the event but dropped to as far back as third in the later rounds before leapfrogging Chagrin Falls senior Kate LaMonica in the final two rounds for the top spot.
Courtney, who was the Division II state runner-up last season, finished with 485.80 to LaMonica's 445.35.
Ella Jo Piersma, Seven Hills
For the second consecutive season, Seven Hills junior Ella Jo Piersma will leave Canton with a pair of state championshis.
On Wednesday, Piersma defended her 2020 state titles in the 100 and 200 free.
In the 200 free, the junior pulled away from the pack, winning by over two seconds. In the 100 free, she held off her Hathaway Brown opponent by two-tenths of a second.
Fellow junior Stinger Corinne Kieser found the podium in both events. She finished 3rd in the 100 free and 6th in the 200.
