North's Ross more motivated

Junior Billy Ross of the Pickerington High School North boys swimming team qualified for last year's state meet. This year, he is looking for an encore and then some.

As a sophomore, Ross was 12th at state in the 100-yard breaststroke (59.8 seconds). This season, he not only wants to place in the top eight in the 100 breast, he also wants to advance in the 200 individual medley.

"It's gone pretty well," Ross said of this season. "It's looking pretty good right now."

Through the Northeast Classic in Canton last Saturday, Ross' best times were 1:01.67 in the 100 breast and 2:02.03 in the 200 IM.

"He's definitely on the right track," coach Eric McFerin said.

If Ross doesn't accomplish his state meet goals, it won't be because of a lack of effort. Last summer he swam five to six days a week with the New Albany Aquatics Club and lifted twice a week. Now working out with the Aquatics Club and the Panthers, Ross estimates he swims about 16 miles a week.

McFerin believes Ross' state experience last season is a motivating factor.

"Once you've been there and you're familiar with it, you have more maturity and a drive," he said. "The first time, you just take it all in."

Ross said another personal motivator has been watching swimming during the last two Summer Olympic games. He went with the Aquatics Club to the 2008 Short Course National Championships and Long Course Invitational on Dec. 4 in Atlanta.

Ross, who swam in the 200 freestyle, 400 free, 200 medley and 400 medley relays, said Team USA Olympian Ryan Lochte, a double goal medalist in Beijing, was on hand.

"That was a really good meet for me," he said. "That was a great learning experience."

"Any kind of big meet definitely helps with confidence," McFerin said. "The pool doesn't change. It's the atmosphere."

The postseason will begin Feb. 14 with the Division I sectional at Upper Arlington. District is one week later.

"Once we get to district, it's all about qualifying for state," Ross said.

But first is the OCC-Ohio Division meet Jan. 31. Ross will look to repeat his first-place performances in the 200 IM and 100 breast in last year's OCC-Central meet, but that isn't his entire focus.

"I'm really hoping we can get a good team effort going and win the meet," he said.

At a glance

Below are the recent results and coming schedules for the Central and North boys and girls swimming teams:

CENTRAL

Jan. 14 -- Dive meet at Lancaster postponed. No makeup has been announced

Jan. 15 -- Boys: Finished third (16) behind Granville (100) and Liberty Union (24); Girls: Finished second (59) behind Granville (69) and ahead of Liberty Union (38)

Last Saturday -- Tied Bloom-Carroll for 10th (30) in 12-team Teays Valley Invitational behind champion Westerville Central (247); Girls: Finished second (228) to Westerville Central (393)

Tuesday -- Home vs. Lancaster

NORTH

Last Thursday -- Boys: Defeated Marysville 143-135; Girls: Def. Marysville 148-136

Last Saturday -- Competed in Northeast Classic in C.T. Branin Natatorium in Canton. No teams scores are kept. For the girls team, Janel Mathews was third in 100 breast (1:09.36).

Tuesday -- Home vs. Granville