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. 23-Feb. 26.
More:Top boys, girls storylines to watch for at OHSAA state swimming and diving meet
Grace Courtney, Wyoming
Courtney was the favorite in Wednesday afternoon's Division II 1-meter girls diving tournament as the returning state champion. The senior delivered in her final high school event, capturing back-to-back state diving titles with a first-place performance.
Courtney added the cherry on top by breaking her own state record from last season (485.80 points) with 519.10. Courtney kept the lead for the entire event, edging out Defiance Tinora senior Lauren Melia, the state runner-up who finished with 500.6 points.
Elizabeth Noble, Walnut Hills
Noble was the leader of a pack of Cincinnatians that competed in the diving finals.
Noble led through the preliminaries and semifinals, finishing up the day with a 491.80 to claim the Division I diving championship.
Ella Jo Piersma, Seven Hills
Piersma won the 200-free for the third-consecutive season. It was also the fifth-overall state championship for Piersma with her finals time of 1:48.22.
State title No. 6 came later, when Piersma swam the 100 fly in 53.43, breaking the state record she had set the day before.
Gibson Holmes, Indian Hill
Holmes broke the OHSAA record for the 200-individual medley in Thursday's preliminary swims, setting up a championship-winning swim in the finals.
Holmes' victory in the IM was his fourth individual state title. Later, Holmes took home a fifth medal in the 100 fly. Holmes swam the event in 46.84, nearly breaking his own record of 46.77 set in the prelims.
Jessey Li, CHCA
Producing runner-up finishes in the last two swimming finals, Li broke through in the 100 free to take the top spot on the podium.
The senior cruised through the event, finishing in 50.58, over a second quicker than the runner-up finisher.
Li then raced in the 100 breaststroke, going in 1:01.02 for state title No. 2 for the senior.
Logan Ottke, CHCA
Ottke picked up the third state championship for CHCA on the night with a sweep of the 100 breaststroke.
Ottke swam in 54.96, shaving off some time from his already leading preliminary time.
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