Boys All-Star Teams

1980-1989

Ohio High School Swimming

"Keep in mind that the past is not history, but a much vaster region of the dead, gone, unknowable or forgotten. History is what we choose to remember."
Joseph J. Ellis

1980

  1. Glenn Mills (1)
    Cincinnati Finneytown
    2. The senior won both the 200 IM and 100 Breaststroke, setting a national record in the latter with his 55.44 preliminary time. Mills was also within a second of the state record in the 200 IM and that time was ranked 5th in the country.
  2. John Smith (3)
    Akron Firestone
    3. The senior makes his 3rd straight all-star team and successfully defended his state titles in the 200 Freestyle, 500 Freestyle, and was part of Firestone’s state title 400 Freestyle Relay. Smith’s 200 Freestyle time of 1:40.99 set a new state record, and that time along with his 100 and 500 Freestyle times were nationally ranked (Top-16).
  3. Jeff Wobser (2)
    Findlay
    4. The senior was state champion in both the 50 Freestyle and 100 Freestyle. His 50 Freestyle was the 13th fastest in the country this year.
  4. Mike Conaton (1)
    Cincinnati St. Xavier
    5. The junior led St. Xavier to their 11th straight team title with his runner-up performance in the 200 IM and state title in the 100 Backstroke. Conaton’s 100 Backstroke time was within a second of Dave Wilson’s national record.
  5. David Cowell (1)
    Vincent
    6. The senior was state champion in the 100 Butterfly with a 50.53 time that was ranked 6th in the nation this year.
  6. Dave Frease (1)
    Akron Firestone
    7. The junior was state runner-up in both the 200 and 500 Freestyle.
  7. Mark Rhodenbaugh (1)
    Cincinnati Oak Hills
    8. The sophomore was state runner-up in the 100 Backstroke and finished 3rd in the 200 IM.
  8. Courtney Roberts (2)
    Cincinnati St. Xavier
    9. The senior makes his 2nd all-star team after finishing runner-up in the 500 Freestyle and 4th in the 200 Freestyle.
  9. Dan Niemer (1)
    Cincinnati St. Xavier
    10. The junior was 3rd in both the 200 and 500 Freestyle.
  10. Greg Rhodenbaugh (1)
    Cincinnati Oak Hills
    11. The senior was state runner-up in the 100 Breaststroke and finished 6th in the 100 Freestyle.

1981

  1. Mark Rhodenbaugh (2)
    Cincinnati Oak Hills
    2. The only double-event winner this year, the junior set a new state record in both the 200 IM and 100 Backstroke with times of 1:52.09 and 50.61. That 100 Backstroke time actually set a new national record and his 200 IM time was 8th best in the country this year.
  2. Dan Niemer (2)
    Cincinnati St. Xavier
    3. The senior was a critical part of St. Xavier winning their 12th straight team title as he won the 200 Freestyle and was 3rd in the 500 Freestyle. Niemer’s 200 Freestyle time of 1:39.6 set a new state record and was 6th best in the country this year.
  3. John Sauerland (1)
    Shaker Heights
    4. The junior was state champion in the 50 Freestyle and finished 4th in the 100 Freestyle. His 50 Freestyle preliminary time of 20.906 set a new state record and was top 5 in the country this year. Sauerland also posted a Top-16 time in the 100 Freestyle during the prelims with a 45.8.
  4. Jeff Gordon (1)
    Cincinnati Princeton
    5. The sophomore was state champion in the 500 Freestyle and finished 5th in the 200 Freestyle. His 500 Freestyle time of 4:30 set a new state record and was 8th best in the country this year.
  5. David Frease (2)
    Akron Firestone
    6. The senior was state champion in the 100 Freestyle, finished 3rd in the 200 Freestyle, and was part of Akron Firestone’s state champion 400 Freestyle Relay team.
  6. Mike Conaton (2)
    Cincinnati St. Xavier
    7. The senior was state runner-up in the 200 IM and 100 Backstroke, and his 51.4 time in the latter was 5th best in the country this year.
  7. John Kratzer (1)
    Columbus Academy
    8. The senior was state runner-up in both the 200 and 500 Freestyle.
  8. Bill Clark (1)
    Coshocton
    9. The senior was state runner-up in both the 50 and 100 Freestyle.
  9. Victor Lee (1)
    Cincinnati St. Xavier
    10. The senior was state champion in the 100 Butterfly.
  10. Chris Rigling (1)
    Hamilton Badin
    11. The senior was state champion in the 100 Breaststroke.

1982

  1. Mark Rhodenbaugh (3)
    Cincinnati Oak Hills
    2. The senior repeats as Gold Star winner after bettering his national record performance from last year with 2 more national marks. He again won the 200 IM and 100 Backstroke, setting new national standards of 1:48.97 and 49.76, respectively.
  2. John Sauerland (2)
    Shaker Heights
    3. The senior was state champion in both the 50 and 100 Freestyle, setting a new state record in both. His 20.48 and 44.85 times were the 1st and 2nd fastest in the entire country this year.
  3. Jeff Gordon (2)
    Cincinnati Princeton
    4. The junior successfully defended his state title in the 500 Freestyle and finished 3rd in the 200 Freestyle. His 500 Freestyle time of 4:31 was 12th best in the country.
  4. Steve Dial (2)
    Akron Firestone
    5. The junior led Akron Firestone to their first team title, unseating the 12x defending champion Cincinnati St. Xavier squad. He was state champion in the 200 Freestyle, finished 4th in the 500 Freestyle, and was part of Firestone’s state title 400 Freestyle Relay.
  5. Dave Valega (1)
    North Ridgeville
    6. The senior was state champion in the 100 Butterfly with the nation’s 11th fastest time.
  6. Shawn Blatt (1)
    Dayton Carroll
    7. The senior was state runner-up in both the 200 IM and 500 Freestyle, and his 200 IM time was 6th fastest in the country this year.
  7. Ted Esselstyn (1)
    Gates Mills Hawken
    8. The senior was runner-up in the 100 Backstroke and finished 3rd in the 100 Butterfly. His 100 Backstroke time was 6th fastest in the country this year.
  8. Ken Flaherty (1)
    Columbus St Charles
    9. The senior was state runner-up in the 100 Butterfly and finished 3rd in the 100 Backstroke. Both of his times were Top-16.
  9. Jim Brower (1)
    Canton Glenoak
    10. The senior was state champion in the 100 Breaststroke.
  10. Randy Hyre (1)
    Upper Arlington
    11. The senior was 3rd in the 200 IM and finished 4th in the 100 Backstroke.

1983

  1. Mark Jechura (1)
    Cincinnati St. Xavier
    2. The junior was the only double-event winner at the state meet, taking home gold in both the 50 Freestyle and 100 Butterfly. Including his leadoff leg on the 400 Freestyle Relay, Jechura had 3 total swims this season ranked top 20 in the nation.
  2. Jeff Gordon (3)
    Cincinnati Princeton
    3. The senior ties the Ohio record for consecutive victories after he once again touched first in the 500 Freestyle. His preliminary time of 4:29.8 gave him his 2nd state record in the event in 3 years and was top 10 in the country. He was also 3rd in the 200 Freestyle.
  3. Rod Bowman (1)
    Huber Heights
    4. The junior was state champion in the 200 Freestyle and finished 2nd in the 100 Butterfly (to Jechura). His 200 Freestyle time was a Top-16 national performance.
  4. Jerry Frentsos (1)
    Cincinnati Roger Bacon
    5. The junior was state champion in the 200 IM and finished 2nd in the 100 Backstroke.
  5. Joe Hoess (1)
    Upper Arlington
    6. The senior was state champion in the 100 Backstroke and finished 3rd in the 200 IM.
  6. Tom Nye (1)
    Akron Firestone
    7. The senior was state champion in the 100 Freestyle, finished 4th in the 200 Freestyle, and was part of Firestone’s state champion 400 Freestyle Relay.
  7. Bill Klug (1)
    Akron Firestone
    8. The senior was runner-up in the 50 Freestyle, finished 3rd in the 100 Freestyle, and was part of Firestone’s state champion 400 Freestyle Relay.
  8. David Fairbanks (1)
    Cincinnati Sycamore
    9. The sophomore finished 3rd in the 500 Freestyle and was 4th in the 200 IM.
  9. Rod Recker (1)
    Toledo Maume Valley Country Day
    10. The senior was state runner-up in the 200 Freestyle and finished 5th in the 100 Butterfly.
  10. Tim Jurs (1)
    Worthington
    11. The senior was state champion in the 100 Breaststroke.

1984

  1. Rod Bowman (2)
    Huber Heights
    2. The senior was state champion in both the 200 Freestyle and 100 Butterfly, and his 1:38.8 time at prelims in the 200 Freestyle set a new state record. That 200 Freestyle was the fastest in the nation this year while his 49.9 time in the 100 Butterfly was ranked 5th nationally.
  2. Jerry Frentsos (2)
    Cincinnati Roger Bacon
    3. The senior was state champion in both the 200 IM and 100 Backstroke. His respective times of 1:50.85 and 51.40 were both the 2nd fastest in the country this year.
  3. Mark Jechura (2)
    Cincinnati St. Xavier
    4. The senior successfully defended his state title in the 50 Freestyle, was 2nd in the 100 Butterfly, and led off St. Xavier’s state title and state record setting 400 Freestyle Relay. His 50 Freestyle, 100 Butterfly, and leadoff 100 Freestyle times were 4th, 18th, and 9th best in the nation this year, and St. X’s 400 Freestyle Relay was ranked 2nd in the country.
  4. David Fairbanks (2)
    Cincinnati Sycamore
    5. The junior was state champion in the 500 Freestyle, finished 3rd in the 200 IM, and set a new state record in the 500 Freestyle. His 4:28 in that event was the 8th best time in the nation this season while his 200 IM time was ranked 10th.
  5. Mark Birnbrich (1)
    Columbus Walnut Ridge
    6. The senior was state champion in the 100 Freestyle and runner-up in the 200 Freestyle.
  6. George Rathman (1)
    Cincinnati St. Xavier
    7. The senior was state runner-up in the 200 IM and 100 Freestyle and was the anchor leg of St. Xavier’s state title winning and record setting 400 Freestyle Relay. His 200 IM time was 7th best in the nation this year and his 100 Freestyle time was also All-American.
  7. Chris Noble (1)
    Upper Arlington
    8. The senior was 3rd at state in both the 50 and 100 Freestyle.
  8. Scott Troutwine (1)
    Arcanum
    9. The senior was state runner-up in the 500 Freestyle and finished 5th in the 200 IM.
  9. TJ Anderson (1)
    Cincinnati St. Xavier
    10. The senior was 4th in the 200 Freestyle, 5th in the 500 Freestyle, and was a key part of St. Xavier’s state title winning and state record setting 400 Freestyle Relay.
  10. Bob Houser (1)
    Upper Arlington
    11. The sophomore was state champion in the 100 Breaststroke.

1985

  1. David Fairbanks (3)
    Cincinnati Sycamore
    2. The 3x all-star was hands-down the best swimmer in Ohio this year, repeating as state champion in the 500 Freestyle and winning the 200 IM as well. His 500 Freestyle time of 4:26.56 bettered his own state record by over 2 seconds. He had national ranks of 3rd in the 100 Backstroke (in-season), 5th in the 500 Freestyle, 6th in the 200 IM, and was All-American in the 200 Freestyle and 100 Butterfly. Fairbanks also anchored Sycamore’s state champion 400 Freestyle Relay.
  2. Brent Axline (1)
    Westerville North
    3. The junior was state champion in both the 100 Freestyle and 100 Breaststroke, with the latter having the 11th best time in the nation this year.
  3. Brian Dickman (1)
    Napoleon
    4. The senior was state champion in the 200 Freestyle and finished 3rd in the 500 Freestyle.
  4. Lauren Hart (1)
    North Canton Hoover
    5. The senior was state champion in the 50 Freestyle and finished 3rd in the 100 Backstroke.
  5. Zeb Esselstyn (1)
    Gates Mills Hawken
    6. The junior was state champion in the 100 Butterfly.
  6. Mike Melnick (1)
    Columbus St. Francis
    7. The senior was state champion in the 100 Backstroke.
  7. Bob Prangley (1)
    Cincinnati St. Xavier
    8. The senior was runner-up in the 200 IM and finished 3rd in the 100 Butterfly.
  8. Mark Lang (1)
    Worthington
    9. The senior was runner-up in the 500 Freestyle and finished 4th in the 200 Freestyle.
  9. David Greenlee (1)
    Worthington
    10. The senior was runner-up in the 100 Freestyle and finished 4th in the 50 Freestyle.
  10. Kendall Ritchey (1)
    Findlay
    11. The senior was 3rd in the 200 Freestyle and 4th in the 100 Freestyle.

1986

  1. Brent Axline (2)
    Westerville North
    2. The senior was state champion in both the 200 Freestyle and 100 Breaststroke, the latter with a 57.02 time that was ranked top 5 in the country. He graduates as one of just 2 swimmers (since at least 1970) to have won 3 separate events during his tenure.
  2. Byron Davis (1)
    Gates Mills Hawken
    3. The sophomore was state champion in the 50 Freestyle, finished runner-up in the 100 Freestyle and was part of Hawken’s state title 400 Freestyle Relay team. His 50 Freestyle time of 20.87 was ranked 6th in the country and was the 2nd fastest in Ohio history.
  3. Mike Noonan (1)
    Gates Mills Gilmour Academy
    4. The senior was state champion in the 100 Butterfly and finished 2nd in the 50 Freestyle. His time of 49.7 in the 100 Butterfly was ranked 7th in the country and was the 2nd fastest in Ohio history.
  4. Cliff Arslanian (1)
    Solon
    5. The sophomore was state champion in the 100 Freestyle and finished 3rd in the 50 Freestyle.
  5. Scott Morgan (1)
    Upper Arlington
    6. The junior was state champion in the 200 IM and was part of Upper Arlington’s state champion 200 Medley Relay.
  6. Charlie Pike (1)
    Cleveland Orange
    7. The senior was state champion in the 500 Freestyle.
  7. Doug Kellerstrass (1)
    Beavercreek
    8. The senior was state champion in the 100 Backstroke.
  8. Gordon Woolbert (1)
    North Canton Hoover
    9. The sophomore was runner-up in both the 200 Freestyle and 100 Backstroke.
  9. Chris Dieter (1)
    Worthington
    10. The senior was runner-up in the 200 IM and finished 4th in the 100 Breaststroke.
  10. Winston Ritchey (1)
    Akron Firestone
    11. The senior was 3rd in the 100 Freestyle and 4th in the 50 Freestyle.
  11. Chris Burt (1) Honorable Mention
    Upper Arlington
    12. Finished 3rd in the 200 Freestyle and 5th in the 100 Butterfly.

1987

  1. Gordon Woolbert (2)
    North Canton Hoover
    2. The junior won the maximum of 3 events at the state meet, taking home titles in the 200 Freestyle, 100 Backstroke, and 200 Medley Relay. His backstroke time was ranked 13th in the country and his 200 Medley Relay team set a new state record.
  2. Byron Davis (2)
    Gates Mills Hawken
    3. The junior was state champion in the 50 Freestyle and finished runner-up in the 100 Butterfly. His preliminary 50 Freestyle time of 20.38 set a new state record and was the number 1 time in the nation this year while his 50.2 time in the 100 Butterfly was ranked 14th.
  3. Cliff Arslanian (2)
    Solon
    4. The junior won his 2nd straight 100 Freestyle state title and finished 2nd in the 50 Freestyle. His time in the latter was ranked 6th in the country.
  4. Scott Morgan (2)
    Upper Arlington
    5. The senior led Upper Arlington to their 3rd straight team title with a repeat win in the 200 IM and a 3rd place 100 Butterfly finish. His 200 IM time was the 6th best in the nation.
  5. Dave Lamon (1)
    Upper Arlington
    6. The junior was state champion in the 500 Freestyle and runner-up in the 200 Freestyle.
  6. Ty Nelson (1)
    Columbus Academy
    7. The senior was state champion in the 100 Butterfly and finished 3rd in the 50 Freestyle. His 100 Butterfly time was top 10 in the nation this year.
  7. David Henkel (1)
    Gates Mills Hawken
    8. The junior was runner-up in the 100 Freestyle, 4th in the 200 Freestyle, and was part of Hawken’s state champion 400 Freestyle Relay.
  8. John Fagan (1)
    Gates Mills Hawken
    9. The sopohomore was 3rd in the 100 and 200 Freestyle and was part of Hawken’s state champion 400 Freestyle Relay.
  9. Robert Leyshon (1)
    Cambridge
    10. The senior was state champion in the 100 Breaststroke.
  10. Casey Lichtendahl (1)
    Cincinnati St. Xavier
    11. The senior was runner-up in the 500 Freestyle and 5th in the 200 Freestyle.

1988

  1. Byron Davis (3)
    Gates Mills Hawken
    2. The senior led Hawken to their first state title. He was state champion in the 50 Freestyle for the 3rd straight year (record), the 100 Butterfly, and was part of Hawken’s state title and state record setting 200 Medley Relay. His 50 Freestyle time of 20.31 was a new state record, and both of his individual swims were 2nd fastest in the nation this year.
  2. Gordon Woolbert (3)
    North Canton Hoover
    3. The senior defended his state title in the 100 Backstroke and finished 2nd in the 100 Butterfly. His 100 Backstroke time of 50.1 was the top time in the nation this season.
  3. Dave Lamon (2)
    Upper Arlington
    4. The senior was state championi n the 500 Freestyle and runner-up in the 200 Freestyle.
  4. Doug Wharton (1)
    Cincinnati Anderson
    5. The junior was state champion in the 100 Breaststroke and 3rd in the 200 IM.
  5. John Fagan (2)
    Gates Mills Hawken
    6. The junior was state champion in the 200 Freestyle and 5th in the 100 Freestyle.
  6. Scott Gregory (1)
    Cincinnati Moeller
    7. The senior was state champion in the 100 Freestyle, 6th in the 50 Freestyle, and was part of Moeller’s state champion 400 Freestyle Relay.
  7. Leverette Brunner (1)
    Beavercreek
    8. The senior was state champion in the 200 IM.
  8. Cliff Arslanian (3)
    Solon
    9. The senior makes his 3rd straight all-star team after finishing 2nd in both the 50 and 100 Freestyle.
  9. David Henkel (2)
    Gates Mills Hawken
    10. The senior was 3rd in the 200 Freestyle and 4th in the 100 Freestyle.
  10. Matt Brunsman (1)
    Yellow Springs
    11. The sophomore was runner-up in the 200 IM and finished 4th in the 100 Breaststroke.

1989

  1. Steve Busse (1)
    Cincinnati Moeller
    2. The senior was the only double-event winner at the state meet this year, winning both the 50 and 100 Freestyle. His 50 Freestyle time of 20.79 was the 10th fastest in the country this year and that makes him the 3rd fastest in Ohio history in that event.
  2. Matt Brunsman (2)
    Yellow Springs
    3. The junior was state champion in the 200 IM and finished 3rd in the 100 Breaststroke.
  3. John Fagan (3)
    Hawken
    4. The senior and now 3x all-star led Hawken to their 2nd straight boys team title after winning the 200 Freestyle and finishing 4th in the 100 Freestyle.
  4. Thomas Carey (1)
    Springfield Catholic Central
    5. The senior was state champion in the 100 Butterfly and finished 4th in the 200 Freestyle.
  5. Jake Harms (1)
    Toledo St. Francis
    6. The freshman was state champion in the 500 Freestyle and 5th in the 200 Freestyle. He is the first freshman boys’ swimmer to win an individual event since 1970.
  6. John Lardas (1)
    Hawken
    7. The senior was state champion in the 100 Backstroke and 5th in the 200 IM for the state title winning Hawken team.
  7. Rob Bonewit (1)
    Athens
    8. The senior was runner-up in the 200 Freestyle and 100 Butterfly.
  8. Brandon McLarty (1)
    Beavercreek
    9. The senior was state runner-up in the 100 Freestyle and finished 3rd in the 200 Freestyle.
  9. Chris Vondran (1)
    Elida
    10. The senior was state champion in the 100 Breaststroke.
  10. Tie:
    • Jamie Farnham (1)
      Hudson
      • The sophomore was runner-up in the 100 Backstroke and 4th in the 200 IM.
    • Brent Ferguson (1)
      Akron Firestone
      • The senior was 3rd in both the 50 and 100 Freestyle.
  11. Doug Wharton (2) Honorable Mention
    Cincinnati Anderson
    12. The senior scored 31 points (usually enough to garner an all-star spot) after he finished runner-up in the 200 IM and 5th in the 100 Breaststroke.