By ANDREW WILSON
Record Herald Writer
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TIPP CITY - For the first time since 2003, the Tipp City Torpedoes finished the year undefeated by winning the 5Cs League Championship at the Tippecanoe Family Aquatic Center on July 21. The meet featured six teams from five counties, including Versailles, Bellefontaine, Botkins, Minster, Troy and Tipp City.

The Torpedoes swim five dual meets against league teams the first five weeks of the season, then they swam in the 5Cs League Championship for a total of six meets.

The Torpedoes finished the championship meet with a total score of 620 points, 115.50 points ahead of runner-up Minster, which ended up with a score of 504.50. Versailles came in third with a score of 475.50 followed by Bellefontaine, which finished with a score of 430.50. Botkins placed fifth with a total score of 143 and Troy finished sixth, scoring 135.50.

The Torpedoes, a team comprised of 185 swimmers ranging from ages five to 18 (75 swam in the final meet), credited their offseason training and work ethic in helping them run the table in the summer of 2012.

“We have a lot of really good kids on the team,” said head coach Renee Rambeau. “We have a lot of kids that train year round with different programs, YMCA and USS Clubs, in the winter months, and that really helps us out for summer.”

The Torpedoes finished first in 21 out of 86 events and broke one record as Jay Bell (boys 13-14) finished the 50 meter butterfly with a new time of 28.61. Bell also finished first in the boy’s 100 meter individual medley with a time of 1:07.60 as well as the 50 meter breaststroke, recording a time of 35.03.

Other strong solo performances came from Adam Gunckel (boys 9-10), who placed first in the 25 meter Butterfly with a time of 18.44 and later finished first in the 50 meter butterfly with a time of 40.87. Alexis Cook (girls 11-12) got first place in the 50 meter freestyle with a time of 32.11 and also placed first in the 100 meter individual medley with a time of 1:22.59.

The Torpedoes were especially dominant in the relays, where teams can earn more points than in individual events. Addison Huber, Charlie Stueve, Evan Liette and Ben Huber won the 100 meter medley relay in the boys eight and under category with a time of 1:57.63. Evan Arnett, Alexander Taylor, Jay Bell and Adam Buynak had similar success by coming in first in the 200 meter medley, finishing with a time of 2:21.31.

The girls ages 9 and 10 team consisting of Tori Prenger, Liette Grace, Annie Richters and Simone King took first place in the 100 meter medley relay with a time of 1:29.50. The girls relay team, age group 9-10, consisting of Tori Prenger, Olivia Hamilton, Annie Richters and Simone King took first place in the 100 meter freestyle relay.

Near the end of the meet, the boys relay team consisting of Alexander Taylor, Adam Buynak, Evan Arnett and Jay Bell came out on top in the 200 meter freestyle relay. All four were in the boys 13 and 14 year old age group.

At the conclusion of the meet, Rambeau discussed her enthusiasm for finishing the year without a loss.

“It’s pretty exciting,” said Rambeau. “It’s a true testament to how hard our kids have worked all season, in the offseason, and how well they came together today as a team.”