Schools

Helen You Has Break Out Meet For Ladue Swim Team

Senior star won three events and finished second in a fourth.

If they ever give a hug-your-favorite swimmer in the pool award, the prize would go hands down to four year varsity swimmer Helen You of Ladue.

Small of stature, and big in heart, You won three events Thursday in a dual with Kirkwood and swam on a second-place relay.

You was first to touch in the 200 yard freestyle (2:11.37); first in the long-distance 500 yard freestyle (5:54.16); led off on the first place 400 yard freestyle relay (3:56.19) and second in the 200 yard freestyle relay (1:45.79).

Her favorite this year is the meet-ending 400 yarder. “That’s our pride and joy event. Our goal is to go out there in the state meet and finish in the top three in that event.”

You, who will go to Washington University in St. Louis next year and likely play water polo had an exception swim in the 500. You finished almost a full 14 seconds ahead of second-place Adrienne Meckes of Kirkwood.

“We have six to seven girls on this team who score most the points, but all the girls in this program give 100 percent. They are the ones who push us to be our best each day. The girls are this team can do some amazing things.

Trish Garvey, her coach is her top fan. “Helen is just one of the best persons I’ve ever been around. She gives 100 percent in whatever she does in the pool, in the classroom, everywhere. I would like to have 10 girls just like her.”

The meet with Kirkwood was a nail biter. The Pioneers won 95-90. Senior Etinosa Ogbevoen had a very good meet. She swam second on the first place 400 yard free relay; She won the 50 yard freestyle in 25.50 and second in the 100 yard freestyle (56.32). Rachel Kokenyesi of Kirkwood edged her at 56.13.

Maddie Wall, steady in all meets was on the second place 200 yard freestyle relay (1:45.73); and won the 100 yard butterfly in 1:02.08 and was on the winning 400 yard freestyle relay.

Sophomore Riley Merdinian was second in the 200 yard individual medley in 2:33.41 and second in the 100 yard backstroke in 1:07.26 and swam a leg on the first place 400 yard free relay.

The state meet is just a month away. The Rams swimmers are doing everything in their power to be a key player in that meet.


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