Karissa Metzger had three goals heading into the Central Ozark Conference swim and dive championships at Webb City Tuesday: “Win both of my races, cheer on my teammates, and maybe possibly get some new COC records.”
She did all three.
(See photo gallery below.)
Metzger won both of her individual events, capturing the gold first in the 200 yard individual medley, then in the 100 yard breaststroke. She broke one race record along the way.
In the IM, Metzger edged Sophia Whitesell of Webb City by nine-hundredths of a second, finishing in 2:19.79, just ahead of Whitesell’s 2:19.88. The performance knocked nearly three seconds off Metzger’s previous personal best in the event this season.
Metzger did not break the COC record in the individual medley, which belongs to former Republic teammate Mady McCrea.
“She has the COC record and she beat me in state, so props to her. I’ll always look up to her,” Metzger said of McCrea. Metzger “absolutely (wanted) to beat her COC record, but it was okay. I was proud of my time.”
Metzger did capture a conference record in the 100 yard breaststroke, finishing in 1:09.19, almost a half-second ahead of Emma Lacey of Carl Junction. Both Metzger and Lacey came in under the state qualifying time for the event.
Metzger said Lacey’s fast start didn’t worry her during the first leg of the race. “Coach Steve (Boyce) told me she won the 50 free, so she has speed in the beginning. I knew I just needed to keep up with her in the beginning and then push past her in the end, and that’s what I did.”
(In the mobile app, view photos here.)
Photos by David Brazeal
