BY JOHN SCHAFFNER

The Port Clinton High School swimming program has been around for nearly 60 years. Friday was one of their best days in their history.

In December, we reported that they were headed for a good year. Coach Dan Diaz’s girls outdid themselves.

They won all of their dual meets during the season, followed up by winning the Districts and capped things off over the weekend at the State Swimming and Diving Championships in Canton.

Kami Periat broke her own school record by nearly one full second in the 100 yard backstroke, taking first place in that event at the State Tournament in Canton.

That went along with her third place finish in the 50 yard freestyle. But the backstroke event came around, she dominated, winning by an amazingly wide margin.

Periat was also a member of the Port Clinton 200 freestle relay team that finished third in Division II competition in Canton. She led off the relay and was followed by Alexa Taylor, Shianne Lieske and Carlie Blaesing. They set a school record of 1:38.65 as each of the four swimmers took time off their personal bests. Periat, Taylor and Blaesing were joined by Zoe Barr to finish seventh in the 200 freestyle.

The Oak Harbor mens’ 200 Individual Medley team finished fourth at State. Twins Karter and Karson Lajti, along with Austin Sorg and Keegan Witt, performed the feat. Skyler Turner took fifth in the 100-yard backstroke. She also participated by leading off the seventh-place 200 freestyle relay team with Paige Krupp, Marissa Mapes and Alyse Sorg.