(May 14) Five area high school swimmers earned first-team all-state honors for their performances in the state championship meet held Feb. 27-28 in Morgantown.

Bridgeport, which won the girls state championship, had four first teamers led by Amy Sickles, who won the 200 freestyle and was second in the 500 freestyle.

Sickles teamed with Alissa Ponzurick, Ashley Wilson and Ashley Leinbach to set a state record in the 400 freestyle relay. Their mark of 3:45.16 also earned them first-team honors.

Wilson also was second in the 200 individual medley and the 100 freestyle.

"This was a great group of fine young girls," Bridgeport coach Jan Grisso said.

"They worked very hard and were very deserving."

Buckhannon-Upshur's Michael Roessing was the only area boys swimmer to gain first-team honors.

He won the 100 butterfly at the state meet and was also fourth in the 50 freestyle.

Six other area swimmers earned second-team honors.

Bridgeport's Natalie Stout was selected for her strong performance in the 200 medley relay.

Liberty freshman Nina Yokochi was honored for her second-place finish in the 100 butterfly.

Robert C. Byrd's 200 freestyle relay team of Louie Nardelli, Shawn McLaughlin, Jeremy Gustafson and David Kovalak finished second at the state meet.