Senior Boardman swimmer Ryan Bailey won the 100 yard butterfly title at the 2013 Ohio State High School Swimming and Diving Championships. Bailey’s time of 49.43 was 3 tenths of a second faster than Cincinnati St. Xavier’s senior Ian Wooley. It was the fourth time that a Spartan swimmer has stood on top of the awards platform during the team’s twenty-eight year history. Boardman’s last state champion was Tyler O’Halloran who won two titles in 2003 and another one in 2002. Bailey also placed 4th in the 100 yard breaststroke in a school record and automatic All-American time of 56.94. His preliminary time of 48.92 in the butterfly was a new Boardman school record and automatic All-American time. In his four year career Bailey has posted three All-American time standards. Previous Spartan All-Americans include Tyler O’Halloran, Conner O’Halloran, Brian Worhatch, Kenny Drombosky, and Mike Barringer.
      Bailey said the feeling of winning the race was “really indescribable”. “It is the best thing I have ever experienced. I have worked hard every day to accomplish this goal since last year’s meet. It’s been my life’s biggest goal up to this point. I was very excited to bring the gold medal back to Boardman. We were really surprised and pleased to see the Boardman police waiting for the team bus on the border with Canfield and having them escort us back to the high school.” Bailey will continue his swimming career next year at the United States Naval Academy.
      Ryan Bailey