Roundup: Three area swimmers earn state berths in multiple events

Three area boys swimmers punched their tickets to state in multiple events Saturday at the United Township Sectional in East Moline.

La Salle-Peru/Ottawa’s Ryan Nelson and Joe Ovanic and Princeton’s Caden Brooks each qualified for state in two events.

Nelson won the 100-yard freestyle in 47.74 seconds and placed second in the 50 freestyle in 21.52 but surpassed the qualifying standard.

Ovanic claimed the 100 butterfly in 50.77 seconds and swam a qualifying time of 52.1 to place second in the 100 backstroke. Ovanic’s 100 butterfly time was a sectional and pool record.

Brooks won a pair of events, taking first in the 500 freestyle in 4:43.03 and winning the 100 backstroke in 51.13.

The Cavaliers placed fifth as a team with 158 points.

The state meet is Friday and Saturday at the FMC Natatorium in Westmont.

BOYS BASKETBALL

St. Bede 82, Gardner-South Wilmington 66

Paul Hart had a game-high 30 points Saturday to lead the No. 8-seeded Bruins to a victory over the No. 10-seeded Panthers in a Class 1A St. Bede Regional quarterfinal in Peru.

Luke Story drained five 3-pointers and finished with 18 points for St. Bede (14-18), which advances to play No. 2 Midland (27-4) in a semifinal at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Earlville 80, Ashton-Franklin Center 40

Griffin Cook scored 21 points Saturday as the No. 7 Red Raiders doubled up No. 14 AFC in a Class 1A Indian Creek Regional quarterfinal in Earlville.

Bryar Keller had 19 points, Ryan Browder scored 16 points, Garrett Cook contributed 11 points and Diego Vasquez added 10 points for Earlville (13-18), which advances to play No 3 Pecatonica in a semifinal at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Seneca 70, Fieldcrest 62

The No. 12 Knights battled and held a 33-27 halftime lead but ultimately lost to the No. 7 Irish in a Class 2A Wilmington Regional quarterfinal in Seneca, ending the career of long-time coach Matt Winkler, who is retiring.

Ed Lorton and Landon Modro scored 16 points each for Fieldcrest (6-17), which was outscored 23-12 in the third quarter.

IVC 73, Hall 68

The No. 9 Red Devils missed out on a chance to play a postseason game on their home floor, losing to the No. 9 Grey Ghosts in a Class 2A Hall Regional quarterfinal Saturday in Chillicothe.

Hall finishes 7-21.

Midland 56, DePue 29

The No. 15 Little Giants’ season came to an end with a loss to the No. 2 Timberwolves in a Class 1A St. Bede Regional quarterfinal Saturday in Varna.

Dwight 73, Henry-Senachwine 55

The No. 11 Mallards came up short against the No. 5 Titans in a Class 1A St. Bede Regional quarterfinal Saturday in Dwight.

Henry finishes 7-20.