19-02-2025
2-for-2: Beaver Local sophomore headed back to State Swim Meet
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Beaver Local sophomore Cole Long will make his second trip in as many years to the OHSAA Swimming & Diving State Tournament at C.T. Branin Natatorium in Canton.
Long, who's two-for-two qualifying for the state meet, will compete in the Boys 200-yard IM and 100-Yard Backstroke coming up this year at the state meet.
'[The atmosphere] is really nervous but it's so loud — I'm nervous but I don't hear a thing, and I don't pay attention to anything that's happening around me except for what's happening in my head,' Long said.
The standout also holds the school record in both of those events after rewriting the Beavers' record book his first two seasons.
'I'm just looking to get in the finals, get on top of the podium and if I don't get on the podium, I'm going to be a little bit disappointed,' Long said. 'But it's still whatever because I'm still a sophomore — I have two more years left.'
The State Championship event will start on Tuesday with diving events and will run through Saturday, Feb. 22 at the C.T. Branin Natatorium in Canton.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
