Manual’s boys’ and girls’ swim teams participated in the preliminary rounds of competition today for the KHSAA state swim and dive championships at the Ralph Wright Natatorium.

Several boys were able to qualify to the state tournament due to strong performances by Elliott Roman (12)  and Nico Pagni (11).

Pagni qualified for the 100 breaststroke, and and according to Head Coach JC Barnett, Pagni broke the team record for that trace.

Pagni said that he is elated to be heading to the state championships today.

“It is exciting,” he said. “The atmosphere is unlike any other meet a high school swimmer can go to.”

Roman also had a productive day, earning the qualifications for the 200 IM state finals and the 500 free finals. Additionally, Manual’s boys were able to qualify for the 200 medley relay and the 400 free relay.

On the girls’ side, some of the younger Crimsons had no problem making their presences felt. Led by Kristin Adams (10), Zorry Mason (10) and Anna Hogan (9), the girls had a very strong outing.

Adams gets to compete in both the 200 and 500 free finals, and Hogan will compete in the 200 breaststroke and 200 IM. Mason will enter the 100 fly championship as the #2 seed, also successfully qualifying for the 200 IM.

Just like the boys, the girls’ team was bolstered by strong performances by all, earning qualifications for the 200 medley relay, the 200 free relay and the 400 free relay.

Barnett said that he is encouraged by the swim and dive team’s success at the preliminary competition.

“It is good to be the duPont Manual swim and dive coach on any pool deck in the Commonwealth,” he said. “Manual swimmers and divers maintain the highest level of respect from the aquatic athletic community. I am not just swim coach, but the coach of duPont Manual.”

The KHSAA state swim and dive championships will take place today, with the boys’ finals at 10 a.m. and the girls’ finals at 4:15 p.m.