Middletown swimmer has record-setting day

McKee, who will compete for Miami University, wins 4 events in his 13th city swim championships.

Wildwood's Matt McKee swims the breaststroke leg of the 100-meter individual medley en route to a first-place finish during the 30th annual Middletown Area Invitational at Walnut Grove Swim Club on Saturday, July 18. Contributed photos by David A. Moodie

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Germantown's Cali Thomas swims the 100-meter freestyle.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Skip Weaver, Staff Writer Updated 7:55 AM Monday, July 20, 2009

TRENTON — Though it may have been a little on the chilly side, Saturday night, July 18, was a special night for area swimmers.

A few more than 170 swimmers celebrated the 30th annual James P. Dillon Memorial Middletown Area Invitational, which was hosted by the Walnut Grove Swim Club in Trenton.

The host Waverunners won their second consecutive team title with 666 points, but it was Wildwood’s Matt McKee who celebrated in style.

McKee, a Middletown High School graduate who will swim for Miami University this winter, won all four of his events in record-setting fashion.

McKee won the 100-meter freestyle (57.4 seconds), the 100 individual medley (1:04.5), the 100 backstroke (1:02.67) and the 100 breaststroke (1:14.62) to close out his 13th city swim championships.

“This is an emotional day,” McKee said. “But I’m also trying to savor the moment. I’ve been doing this since I was 5 years old, so I remember a lot of good times with friends.

“I still get nervous before my swims, but once I hit the water, everything is normal,” he added.

McKee’s signature event is the backstroke, and he did not disappoint himself by breaking his own record in the event.

“I’ll be upset with myself if I don’t break it,” he said right before the race. “I’ve got the confidence in myself, but you never know what’s going to happen.”

Germantown’s Cali Thomas wasn’t sure what she’d accomplish coming into the meet either, but she ended up with a record-setting night as well.

The soon-to-be senior at Valley View set individual records in the 100 fly (1:16.5) and 100 free (1:07.36), while also being part of two relay records in the 200 medley relay (2:34.68) and the 200 free relay (2:12.34).

“I don’t think I was swimming too good today,” Thomas said. “But I feel like I’m finally reaching the level of swimming I want.”

Walnut Grove’s championship team was led by 12-year-old Conner McAdams, who won three individual events and was a member of a winning relay team.

He won the 50 fly (39.53), 50 free (33.26) and the 50 back (40.81). The 200 medley relay team (2:51.79) also won.

The Wildwood Wahoos were second in the team standings with 452 points, followed by Forest Hills (288) and Germantown (163). Unattached swimmers accumulated 33 points.

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