Milford High School sophomore standout Beau Robinson was the only local champion at the 27th Annual Southwest Ohio High School Swimming and Diving Classic though numerous area aquatic standouts advanced to final heats at the event.

The Classic is the largest high school invitational in the United States and features nearly 3,000 competitors annually including athletes from more than 100 schools.

Preliminary events took place at seven venues ranging from Miami University to Milford High School with athletes gathering for final heats at St. Xavier’s Keating Natatorium both Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 16-17.

Robinson successfully defended his Classic title in the 50-yard butterfly while breaking a meet record with his first-place time of 23.81. Robinson also took first place in the event last winter as a freshman.

Robinson took second place at the Classic in the 100 butterfly at 52.68 and also swam in the finals or consolation finals with all four of the Milford boy relays.

"He is just an outstanding swimmer. He’s only a sophomore but he swims like a senior," Milford head coach Gary Tameris said. "To break a Classic record really shows people something. He is our No. 1 swimmer without a doubt, and we rally around him."

With Robinson swimming the anchor leg, Milford’s 200 freestyle relay took eighth place at the Classic with a time of 1:31.90.

The Lady Eagles advanced to the finals in both the 200 and 400 freestyle relays while taking 13th place and 12th place in the events, respectively.

"We are about a month away from sectionals so this meet is always an eye-opener. The competition at the Classic is unbelievable," Tameris said. "We are coming out of our hard Christmas training and the kids are responding well."

Aside from Robinson, senior Gwen Storch and sophomore Dave Matulis also turned in quality times at the Classic.

Storch finished second in the 50 backstroke with a time of 29.71 while touching the wall just after Arcanum senior Lynsie Farrel and her first-place time of 29.61.

"She just got edged out and took second place (in the 50 backstroke). It was a good swim but not her best time," Tameris said.

Storch’s personal best in the 50 backstroke is at 29.26.

Matulis took third place in the 50 breaststroke with a time of 29.59.

Milford’s boys finished in 14th place overall with 67 points as the Lady Eagles took 21st place at 32 points.

"We have a few more dual meets left and then the regular season is over. Once again the season is flying by and our seniors are almost done," Tameris said.

BY ANTHONY AMORINI-Community Press from Cincinnati.com