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Gators boys, girls sink Rams

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 4, 2001

LAND O'LAKES -- Last season, Ridgewood's boys thwarted Land O'Lakes' bid for an unbeaten record and the Gators girls did the same to the Rams.

There was no such even exchange in Wednesday's rematch as the host Gators defeated the Rams on both fronts. The boys won 104-81 and the girls 104-82.

The wins improved the Land O'Lakes girls to 6-0 and boys to 5-1. "It's very much a relief," Land O'Lakes coach Glenna Chamberlin said. "I told our kids, 'This is our homecoming."'

Added Land O'Lakes co-captain Heather Gerkin: "This is really big. We were worried."

The Gators boys won nine of 12 events, including the first four races. "They came out like gangbusters," Rams coach Sue Vien said.

The Land O'Lakes boys won on the strength of five firsts in six freestyle events. Craig Hilgenberg won the 50-yard and 100 free, and Adam Yanchinis won the 200 and 500 free. The pair also teamed with Neil Habershaw and Chris Obara to win the 400 free relay. The Land O'Lakes girls won only five events, but the team's depth earned them valuable points.

"Our depth is our strength, that's for sure," assistant coach Barbara Hayes said.

Ridgewood's Tanner Wolfe, Brian Stoll, Mike Mansfield and Matt Vien won the 200 free relay for the boys (4-2).

The Rams girls (5-1) won five of six freestyle races led by freshman Joy Taylor's victories in the 200 and 500 free.

Lindsey Hayes won the 50 free, Stephanie Gerakos won the 100 free before joining Taylor and Anka Kramer on the winning 400 free relay team.

Following each of Taylor's victories, her Ridgewood teammates congratulated the diminutive freshman (4 feet 10) with choruses of "La Machine," her nickname.

Land O'Lakes' Tara Patterson, who hadn't lost in the 100 breaststroke this season, came in second behind Jessica Leeman, who exclaimed, "I beat the undefeated girl! I beat the undefeated girl! Oh my God, I'm going to cry."

Ridgewood's Nick DiIorio won his fifth diving competition in six meets and Land O'Lakes sophomore Jacqueline Vogel, diving for the first time in place of the injured Kaci Ressler, won.

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