Brady Lewis had the fastest time in the 100-yard butterfly entering the Central Ozark Conference swim championships in Webb City, so he already had it in his mind that he wanted to win gold. He not only did that, he wiped out the COC meet record in the process. Lewis completed the race in 57.41, breaking the old COC record of 59.46. It was his fastest time of the year in that event.
Lewis also finished third in the 100-yard backstroke, improving on his seeding going into the meet. Lewis had the fourth-best time going into the meet.
Noah Marshall also earned points for Republic, finishing seventh in the long-distance race, the 500-yard freestyle. He finished in 5:42.70, cutting more than three seconds off his previous best time.
Even Alstad also competed for Republic in the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard freestyle.
Before the meet began, Lewis said he was not feeling especially good in the water. So he changed into a suit designed for better hydrodynamics and noticed the difference when he got back in the water.
“I started feeling so much better and my confidence grew, and I knew I was going to go out there and swim my race,” Lewis said.
After winning the butterfly, Lewis said his confidence went even higher, allowing him to break a minute in the backstroke. He finished in 58.60, shaving 1.75 seconds off his previous best time this year.
The Tigers will swim at the SWMO Invitational this weekend in Springfield.
