The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Beachwood senior a close second at state
CANTON >> Spencer Bystrom knew his fate was going to come down to the dive right before his eyes Feb. 20 during the Division II state diving competition.
The Beachwood senior took in those nervewracking moments, towel to mouth.
Bystrom could feel it in the waning moments at Canton McKinley’s Branin Natatorium, title to grasp. But unfortunately for those aspirations, Cincinnati Wyoming’s Ilya Gerasimchuk had one more great lunge to place a firm grip on that prized hardware.
Leading heading into the final dive, Bystrom recorded a score of 40.70, but Gerasimchuk nailed Dive 11 to surpass the Beachwood program staple and rally for the state title by 1.70.
Bystrom recorded an 11dive score of 451.20 to Gerasimchuk’s 452.90.
Ever the class act, Bystrom commended Gerasimchuk for finding the winning dive when it was required.
“That final round, it had my nerves going,” Bystrom said. “I had a really strong first two dives (in the final round) and was doing really well. I don’t know – the nerves just got to me. My legs crimped a little bit, and (Gerasimchuk) got me by one point.
“I have to say I’m really disappointed. But I’m really happy for him and the work he put in as well.”
Bystrom was down by less than a point after the semifinal round with a 313.70, a 15-point improvement from when he was third at state a year ago.
On his ninth dive, he went for a back 1 ½ somersault twist free — the first of his trademark three-dive run in the final round since he was a sophomore — and scored a 49.20, his best score of the afternoon.
Bystrom followed that with a 47.60 on his penultimate dive, an inward 2 somersault tuck, taking a 2.45-point advantage over Gerasimchuk in Round 11.
The Bison senior scored a 40.70, a solid score, but not enough to fend off Gerasimchuk.
“Normally, what I try to do is turn all my fear into power that I was able to use on the board,” Bystrom said. “And it just turned the wrong way. I crimped a little bit too much. Got a little too excited off the board. I twisted early, and it cost me the win. “It’s OK.” Bystrom is the fifth boys diver in News-Herald coverage area history to record multiple top-threes at state and is the only boys swimmer or diver from Beachwood to crack the top four at state.
But he has no time to savor that accomplishment, as the Bison jack-of-all-trades has D-II swimming prelims coming up Feb. 21, on relays and in 50 freestyle.
The title was there to grasp, but Bystrom appreciates the journey and what he’s done for his community.
“To be this high? I never thought I’d be able to get here,” Bystrom said. “It’s too good to be second. I’m happy with it.
“I have to go home, and I have to shave (for swimming prelims). It’ll take two hours. I’ll be back (Feb. 20) at 5 p.m. with 200 free relay, 200 medley relay and 50 free. And hopefully we’ll see better results after this one.”
Benedictine’s Luke Faulisi made the podium for the second straight year, placing fifth with a score of 392.80, a nearly 40-point ascent from when the sophomore was eighth a year ago in Canton.
On the girls side, no area divers made the podium. Chagrin Falls’ Kate LaMonica was the highest area placer in 10th with a 378.70.