SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- The St. Xavier swimming and diving team is national champions.
The AquaBombers won the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association title with a men’s record of 6,525 points -- the most points nationally for men or women, according to the school.
St. X has won three consecutive NISCA titles. It is the program’s ninth NISCA title overall (2017, 2016, 2015, 2008, 2007, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1999).
“We are very fortunate to have a group of individuals who have built up this program throughout the years,” St. X head coach Tim Beerman said. “These guys are now a part of that. They leave with the relationships that they have been a part of the last four years. It has been quite a journey.”
More than 200 teams from around the country were part of the NISCA rankings. St. X was followed by Southlake Carroll (Texas) with 6,327 points and North Allegheny (Pennsylvania) with 6,081.
The Mariemont girls' swimming and diving team finished first in the Girls' Public Class 5 Division with 4,933 points.
Seven St. X swimmers set All-American NISCA standards covering every event. Grant House, a 2017 graduate and Arizona State incoming freshman, wrapped up his career as a 23-time All-American.
House, named the LaRosa’s Male MVP of the Year in June, ranks as the winningest swimmer in Ohio High School Athletic Association state history.
He has accumulated 13 state titles in individual (eight) and relay events (five). He also helped lead the AquaBombers to four consecutive team state championships. He was named Ohio’s Most Valuable Swimmer in Division I for the second time in his career.
This past year, House won four Ohio state titles and set state and tournament records in all four events.
He captured the 200-Yard Freestyle in 1:34.59. His time in the 500-Yard Freestyle of 4:19.15 also set a CT Branin Natatorium pool record in Canton.
The NISCA All-American standards include:
- Justin Grender (junior class this past season) -- 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle, 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle relay, 100 backstroke, 400 freestyle relay
- Grant House (senior) -- 200 freestyle, 200 IM, 100 butterfly, 100 freestyle, 500 freestyle, 200 freestyle relay, 100 breaststroke, 400 freestyle relay
- Christian Imbus (senior) -- 500 free
- Charles Leibson (senior) -- 200 medley relay, 200 IM, 200 free relay
- Nicholas Perera (junior) -- 200 medley relay, 200 IM, 500 free, 200 free relay, 400 free relay
- Luke Sobolewski (senior) -- 200 medley relay, 100 fly, 100 back, 400 free relay
- Gordon Wheeler (senior) -- 200 free
Eleven AquaBombers earned Academic All-American recognition from NISCA: Sean Brandabur, Dillon Froass, Drew Grisemer, Grant House, Christian Imbus, Jake Knapke, Charles Leibson, Will Schwieterman, Luke Sobolewski, Luke Van Gorp and Jared Watson.
Beerman picked up some “hardware” after being named GCL, District and State Coach of the Year. He was joined by assistant coach Tom Keefe who received the José Cerdá Foundation service award for his contributions to the sport.
The final piece of the National Championship picture will be clarified in September, when Swimming World Magazine unveils its U.S. rankings. St. X figures to be in the mix, hoping to better their fourth-place finish of a year ago.
