The Yorktown girls are sinking and the boys are treading water in the latest team rankings released Monday by the Indiana High School Swimming Coaches Association.
Head Coach Brad Grieshop's girls have dropped from a two-way tie for 27th in the November 23 rankings to a three-way tie for 35th (with Twin Lakes and Evansville Reitz). The boys remain among Indiana's elite in the #8 position.
Several Yorktown swimmers continue to be ranked among Indiana's best in their individual events. Junior Adam Voss leads the way, holding a pair of Top 10 rankings this week. Voss is 5th in the 200-yard freestyle and 7th in the 100-yard butterfly. Sophomore Austin Dunn is #14 in the 100-yard butterfly. And sophomore Larah Beaver is the state's sixth ranked competitor in the 100-yard backstroke.
The rankings are not without their problems--they are at best a very incomplete snapshot of what is happening in the sport at any particular time. Coaches are not required to report the best efforts of their swimmers (or divers), so some athletes who deserve to be ranked aren't, and some swimmers who really don't belong in the poll end up there simply because their coaches bother to send in their results.
Examples? Yorktown diver Sam Mahon's season best of 197.10 points would place her 22nd this week if the people who compile the poll knew about it (individual event rankings are based on a Top 32 format). So eleven divers from across Indiana find themselves in the rankings with inferior performances (with as few as 156 points) while Sam is left out in the cold. Hardly fair to her, but reality all the same.
Need more? The Yorktown girls would be ranked 9th in the state this week in the 200-yard medley relay, 12th in the 400-yard freestyle relay, and 15th in the 200-yard freestyle relay. Again, you can't be ranked if the pollmakers aren't aware of you. And your team ranking suffers from the lack of points you would have claimed by being included in each event.
Some coaches don't report results for strategic reasons (they believe opposing coaches use that information to alter their lineups in upcoming dual meets). But with the wealth of information now available on newspaper and team websites, blogs, and social networking sites, that argument went down the drain a long time ago.
My opinion is a simple one--athletes whose performances are worthy of state rankings should be in the poll, period. It's good for the athlete, it's good for the school, and it's a good recruiting tool for the private clubs most schools rely on to develop their future talent.
So coaches, please take a few minutes, e-mail your athletes' results to the proper people each weekend, and let the kids who bust their humps in a sport that is already undercovered get a little well deserved recognition.
P.S.--That's good for YOUR reputation as a coach, too!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
SHAMROCKS NOT LUCKY FOR TIGERS
Yorktown's Tigers would have a tough time beating the Westfield Shamrocks at full strength. Today, we found out what happens when you challenge one of the state's best as holiday vacations and illnesses are wreaking havoc on your rosters. Final scores: Girls-#11 Westfield 123, #27 Yorktown 62; Boys-#14 Westfield 116, #8 Yorktown 51.
A dozen girls and even fewer boys made the trip to Hamilton County for Head Coach Brad Grieshop's teams. Some athletes were sick, others were away on family gatherings and getaways; their absences were felt in the Tigers' lack of depth. And there is bound to be plenty of future debate about the wisdom of scheduling a dual meet on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, let alone scheduling one against a powerhouse opponent. But back to the action.
The Yorktown girls won only three events all day. Sophomore Larah Beaver got to the wall first in both the 100-yard freestyle (57.44) and 100-yard backstroke (1:02.14). Fellow sophomore Sam Mahon continued her hot start to the season, topping the three-girl field to win the 1-meter diving competition (197.10).
The boys had an even tougher day, finding the winner's circle just twice. Junior Zach Pitzer was the class of a two-man 1-meter diving field (143.40), and fellow junior Michael Heavilon came from behind for an exciting blue ribbon in the 100-yard butterfly (56.68). Two other boys made notable efforts for the Tigers--sophomore Austin Dunn posted a lifetime best in the 100-yard freestyle (51.36) to finish 2nd, and senior Cameron Watters added a runner-up finish in the 100-yard back (58.48), losing by just .29.
The Tiger boys and girls return to action on Tuesday, when they host Hoosier Heritage Conference rival Delta. The first event begins at 5:15 p.m.
GO TIGERS!
A dozen girls and even fewer boys made the trip to Hamilton County for Head Coach Brad Grieshop's teams. Some athletes were sick, others were away on family gatherings and getaways; their absences were felt in the Tigers' lack of depth. And there is bound to be plenty of future debate about the wisdom of scheduling a dual meet on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, let alone scheduling one against a powerhouse opponent. But back to the action.
The Yorktown girls won only three events all day. Sophomore Larah Beaver got to the wall first in both the 100-yard freestyle (57.44) and 100-yard backstroke (1:02.14). Fellow sophomore Sam Mahon continued her hot start to the season, topping the three-girl field to win the 1-meter diving competition (197.10).
The boys had an even tougher day, finding the winner's circle just twice. Junior Zach Pitzer was the class of a two-man 1-meter diving field (143.40), and fellow junior Michael Heavilon came from behind for an exciting blue ribbon in the 100-yard butterfly (56.68). Two other boys made notable efforts for the Tigers--sophomore Austin Dunn posted a lifetime best in the 100-yard freestyle (51.36) to finish 2nd, and senior Cameron Watters added a runner-up finish in the 100-yard back (58.48), losing by just .29.
The Tiger boys and girls return to action on Tuesday, when they host Hoosier Heritage Conference rival Delta. The first event begins at 5:15 p.m.
GO TIGERS!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
YORKTOWN BEATS ANDERSON HIGHLAND
Freshman Jessica Extine picked up four blue ribbons to lead Yorktown to a 123-63 victory over Anderson Highland Tuesday night. Her performance was especially sweet because Extine did it in front of her grandparents, who were in town to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Extine won the 100-yard butterfly (1:04.76) and 100-yard breaststroke (1:17.87) and was part of the victorious 200-yard medley relay team (2:00.08) and 200-yard freestyle relay team (1:50.30). Extine's anchor split for the freestyle relay was an impressive 25.19.
Tiger sophomore Larah Beaver matched Extine's four first place finishes against the Scots. Beaver captured the 100-yard freestyle (57.32) and the 100-yard backstroke (1:02.11), and led off for both the medley relay team and the champion 400-yard freestyle relay team (4:18.29).
Junior Gabby LaVoie and freshman Kersea Gable were Yorktown's other multiple event winners. LaVoie won the closest and most exciting race of the night, outtouching YHS freshman Caroline Grasso in a razor thin 50-yard freestyle (28.07 to 28.22). LaVoie was also a member of both freestyle relay teams. Gable helped both the medley relay and 400-yard freestyle relay take gold.
Senior Heather Elston and sophomore Sam Mahon also picked up firsts. Elston competed in the medley relay, and Mahon took top honors in the 1-meter diving competition.
The 27th ranked Tigers get a well deserved day off on Thanksgiving, return to the practice pool Friday, then take on #11 Westfield (and defending state champion Kait Flederbach) in a dual meet Saturday morning.
GO TIGERS!
Extine won the 100-yard butterfly (1:04.76) and 100-yard breaststroke (1:17.87) and was part of the victorious 200-yard medley relay team (2:00.08) and 200-yard freestyle relay team (1:50.30). Extine's anchor split for the freestyle relay was an impressive 25.19.
Tiger sophomore Larah Beaver matched Extine's four first place finishes against the Scots. Beaver captured the 100-yard freestyle (57.32) and the 100-yard backstroke (1:02.11), and led off for both the medley relay team and the champion 400-yard freestyle relay team (4:18.29).
Junior Gabby LaVoie and freshman Kersea Gable were Yorktown's other multiple event winners. LaVoie won the closest and most exciting race of the night, outtouching YHS freshman Caroline Grasso in a razor thin 50-yard freestyle (28.07 to 28.22). LaVoie was also a member of both freestyle relay teams. Gable helped both the medley relay and 400-yard freestyle relay take gold.
Senior Heather Elston and sophomore Sam Mahon also picked up firsts. Elston competed in the medley relay, and Mahon took top honors in the 1-meter diving competition.
The 27th ranked Tigers get a well deserved day off on Thanksgiving, return to the practice pool Friday, then take on #11 Westfield (and defending state champion Kait Flederbach) in a dual meet Saturday morning.
GO TIGERS!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
TIGERS FINISH 5TH AT WESTFIELD INVITATIONAL
The Yorktown Tigers scored 306 points on Saturday to finish 5th in the Westfield Invitational. Fishers edged the host Shamrocks 566-510 to capture the team championship. Brebeuf Jesuit and Indianapolis Roncalli tied for 3rd with 368 points, with Lafayette Jeff 6th with 131 points.
Yorktown had one individual champion on the day. Sophomore Larah Beaver took the title in the varsity 100-yard backstroke, swimming 1:00.51 for the top medal. The Tiger girls also finished runner-up in the varsity 200-yard medley relay. The 'A' team of Beaver, freshman Kersea Gable, freshman Jessica Extine, and freshman Caroline Grasso posted a time of 1:59.21, trailing only Fishers (1:53.59).
The Tigers had several other varsity Top 10 finishes on Saturday. Extine was 3rd (:26.59) and Gabby LaVoie 10th (:28.53) in the 50-yard freestyle; Beaver was 4th in the 100-yard freestyle (:57.28); sophomore Sam Mahon finished 5th in 1-meter diving (163.45); Extine added an 8th in the 100-yard butterfly (1:06.80); sophomores Kirsten Nickoli and Chappell Railey went 9-10 in the 500-yard freestyle (6:10.34 and 6:16.52, respectively); Railey added a 10th in the 200-yard IM (2:39.53); Grasso was 6th in the 100-yard backstroke (1:09.64); Gable tallied an 8th place finish in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:19.73), and the medley 'B' team of junior Rachel Reising, sophomore Chelsea Watters, freshman Jillian Buche, and sophomore Chappell Railey was 10th (2:17.64).
Yorktown's other relays also had Top 10 finishes at Westfield. Both YHS entries in the 200-yard freestyle relay landed in the Top 10--the 'A' team of Grasso, Gable, senior Heather Elston and LaVoie went 1:55.42 for 4th, with the 'B' team of Nickoli, Buche, Watters and junior Megan Morency finishing 10th in 2:03.82.
The YHS 400-freestyle relay teams were not to be outdone--both of them also finished in the Top 10. The 'A' team of Extine, Elston, LaVoie and Beaver brought home 7th place honors with a 4:10.27, and the 'B' team of Nickoli, Mahon, Reising and Railey took 10th with a time of 4:33.25.
YORKTOWN RESULTS BY EVENT:
Varsity 200-yard medley relay 2nd Larah Beaver, Kersea Gable, Jessica Extine, Caroline Grasso 1:59.21
10th Rachel Reising, Chelsea Watters, Jillian Buche, Chappell Railey 2:17.64
JV 200-yard freestyle 11th Telisha Osborne 3:14.20
Varsity 200-yard freestyle 12th Kirsten Nickoli 2:17.90
14th Rachel Reising 2:32.57
17th Megan Morency 2:36.73
Varsity 200-yard IM 10th Chappell Railey 2:39.53
14th Kersea Gable 2:44.55
15th Chelsea Watters 2:45.56
JV 50-yard freestyle 5th Kara Martin 31.04
DQ Caitlyn Lowe
Varsity 50-yard freestyle 3rd Jessica Extine 26.59
10th Gabby LaVoie 28.53
12th Caroline Grasso 28.83
1-meter diving 5th Sam Mahon 163.45
Varsity 100-yard butterfly 8th Jessica Extine 1:06.80
14th Jillian Buche 1:21.03
JV 100-yard freestyle 5th Kara Martin 1:10.03
12th Maddie Rhodes 1:36.38
Varsity 100-yard freestyle 4th Larah Beaver 57.28
13th Heather Elston 1:05.80
Varsity 500-yard freestyle 9th Kirsten Nickoli 6:10.34
10th Chappell Railey 6:16.52
14th Jillian Buche 6:55.18
JV 200-yard freestyle relay 8th Caitlyn Lowe, Maddie Rhodes, Telisha Osborne, Kara Martin 2:31.50
Varsity 200-yard freestyle relay 4th Caroline Grasso, Kersea Gable, Heather Elston, Gabby LaVoie 1:55.42
10th Kirsten Nickoli, Jillian Buche, Chelsea Watters, Megan Morency 2:03.82
JV 100-yard backstrone 10th Maddie Rhodes 1:50.08
DQ Telisha Osborne
Varsity 100-yard backstroke 1st Larah Beaver 1:00.51
6th Caroline Grasso 1:09.64
11th Heather Elston 1:13.17
JV 100-yard breaststroke 6th Megan Morency 1:33.60
9th Caitlin Lowe 1:55.80
Varsity 100-yard breaststroke 8th Kersea Gable 1:19.73
11th Gabby LaVoie 1:23.63
13th Chelsea Watters 1:25.16
JV 400-yard freestyle relay 5th Maddie Rhodes, Telisha Osborne, Megan Morency, Kara Martin 5:32.22
Varsity 400-yard freestyle relay 7th Jessica Extine, Heather Elston, Gabby LaVoie, Larah Beaver 4:10.27
10th Kirsten Nickoli, Sam Mahon, Rachel Reising, Chappell Railey 4:33.25
The Tigers are back in action tonight at Anderson Highland. GO TIGERS!
Yorktown had one individual champion on the day. Sophomore Larah Beaver took the title in the varsity 100-yard backstroke, swimming 1:00.51 for the top medal. The Tiger girls also finished runner-up in the varsity 200-yard medley relay. The 'A' team of Beaver, freshman Kersea Gable, freshman Jessica Extine, and freshman Caroline Grasso posted a time of 1:59.21, trailing only Fishers (1:53.59).
The Tigers had several other varsity Top 10 finishes on Saturday. Extine was 3rd (:26.59) and Gabby LaVoie 10th (:28.53) in the 50-yard freestyle; Beaver was 4th in the 100-yard freestyle (:57.28); sophomore Sam Mahon finished 5th in 1-meter diving (163.45); Extine added an 8th in the 100-yard butterfly (1:06.80); sophomores Kirsten Nickoli and Chappell Railey went 9-10 in the 500-yard freestyle (6:10.34 and 6:16.52, respectively); Railey added a 10th in the 200-yard IM (2:39.53); Grasso was 6th in the 100-yard backstroke (1:09.64); Gable tallied an 8th place finish in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:19.73), and the medley 'B' team of junior Rachel Reising, sophomore Chelsea Watters, freshman Jillian Buche, and sophomore Chappell Railey was 10th (2:17.64).
Yorktown's other relays also had Top 10 finishes at Westfield. Both YHS entries in the 200-yard freestyle relay landed in the Top 10--the 'A' team of Grasso, Gable, senior Heather Elston and LaVoie went 1:55.42 for 4th, with the 'B' team of Nickoli, Buche, Watters and junior Megan Morency finishing 10th in 2:03.82.
The YHS 400-freestyle relay teams were not to be outdone--both of them also finished in the Top 10. The 'A' team of Extine, Elston, LaVoie and Beaver brought home 7th place honors with a 4:10.27, and the 'B' team of Nickoli, Mahon, Reising and Railey took 10th with a time of 4:33.25.
YORKTOWN RESULTS BY EVENT:
Varsity 200-yard medley relay 2nd Larah Beaver, Kersea Gable, Jessica Extine, Caroline Grasso 1:59.21
10th Rachel Reising, Chelsea Watters, Jillian Buche, Chappell Railey 2:17.64
JV 200-yard freestyle 11th Telisha Osborne 3:14.20
Varsity 200-yard freestyle 12th Kirsten Nickoli 2:17.90
14th Rachel Reising 2:32.57
17th Megan Morency 2:36.73
Varsity 200-yard IM 10th Chappell Railey 2:39.53
14th Kersea Gable 2:44.55
15th Chelsea Watters 2:45.56
JV 50-yard freestyle 5th Kara Martin 31.04
DQ Caitlyn Lowe
Varsity 50-yard freestyle 3rd Jessica Extine 26.59
10th Gabby LaVoie 28.53
12th Caroline Grasso 28.83
1-meter diving 5th Sam Mahon 163.45
Varsity 100-yard butterfly 8th Jessica Extine 1:06.80
14th Jillian Buche 1:21.03
JV 100-yard freestyle 5th Kara Martin 1:10.03
12th Maddie Rhodes 1:36.38
Varsity 100-yard freestyle 4th Larah Beaver 57.28
13th Heather Elston 1:05.80
Varsity 500-yard freestyle 9th Kirsten Nickoli 6:10.34
10th Chappell Railey 6:16.52
14th Jillian Buche 6:55.18
JV 200-yard freestyle relay 8th Caitlyn Lowe, Maddie Rhodes, Telisha Osborne, Kara Martin 2:31.50
Varsity 200-yard freestyle relay 4th Caroline Grasso, Kersea Gable, Heather Elston, Gabby LaVoie 1:55.42
10th Kirsten Nickoli, Jillian Buche, Chelsea Watters, Megan Morency 2:03.82
JV 100-yard backstrone 10th Maddie Rhodes 1:50.08
DQ Telisha Osborne
Varsity 100-yard backstroke 1st Larah Beaver 1:00.51
6th Caroline Grasso 1:09.64
11th Heather Elston 1:13.17
JV 100-yard breaststroke 6th Megan Morency 1:33.60
9th Caitlin Lowe 1:55.80
Varsity 100-yard breaststroke 8th Kersea Gable 1:19.73
11th Gabby LaVoie 1:23.63
13th Chelsea Watters 1:25.16
JV 400-yard freestyle relay 5th Maddie Rhodes, Telisha Osborne, Megan Morency, Kara Martin 5:32.22
Varsity 400-yard freestyle relay 7th Jessica Extine, Heather Elston, Gabby LaVoie, Larah Beaver 4:10.27
10th Kirsten Nickoli, Sam Mahon, Rachel Reising, Chappell Railey 4:33.25
The Tigers are back in action tonight at Anderson Highland. GO TIGERS!
Friday, November 20, 2009
SPORTSMANSHIP IS ALIVE AND WELL
Spectators at last night's Yorktown-Lawrence North meet witnessed a moment of great sportsmanship that should be applauded.
YHS backstroker Larah Beaver dislocated a toe making her first flipturn of the race, an excruciating condition for someone who still had two more turns to make. Beaver faded to a 3rd place finish, seven seconds off her lifetime best. After the race, Beaver was so fatigued and in so much pain she literally could not pull herself out of the pool.
That's when the sportsmanship kicked in. The LN competitors on either side of Beaver came to their rival's aid, with several more members of the Wildcats on deck coming to the wall to pull Beaver out of the pool. They stayed with her as she vomited, helped her into a chair, and comforted her. LN's trainer also came to Beaver's aid, putting the dislocated toe back into joint and making sure she had an ice pack to treat the injury.
All of that speaks volumes about the quality of the young people swimming for Lawrence North, their coaches and staff. Please accept this heartfelt thank you from her father.
YHS backstroker Larah Beaver dislocated a toe making her first flipturn of the race, an excruciating condition for someone who still had two more turns to make. Beaver faded to a 3rd place finish, seven seconds off her lifetime best. After the race, Beaver was so fatigued and in so much pain she literally could not pull herself out of the pool.
That's when the sportsmanship kicked in. The LN competitors on either side of Beaver came to their rival's aid, with several more members of the Wildcats on deck coming to the wall to pull Beaver out of the pool. They stayed with her as she vomited, helped her into a chair, and comforted her. LN's trainer also came to Beaver's aid, putting the dislocated toe back into joint and making sure she had an ice pack to treat the injury.
All of that speaks volumes about the quality of the young people swimming for Lawrence North, their coaches and staff. Please accept this heartfelt thank you from her father.
TIGER GIRLS LOSE SEASON OPENER
The Yorktown girls ran into a buzzsaw of an opponent last night, dropping a 120-65 decision to 17th ranked Lawrence North. The powerful Wildcats won 10 of 12 events in the season opening meet for both teams, which was the first meet held in LN's beautiful brand new pool.
Sophomores Larah Beaver and Sam Mahon captured the Tigers only victories of the evening. The ailing Beaver held off LN freshman Peyton Cunningham's late charge in the closest and most exciting race of the meet, taking the 100-yard freestyle in :56.24. Cunningham touched in :56.37. Mahon topped the 1-meter diving competition (diving scores were unavailable).
But there were some reasons for optimism among Tiger fans. Freshman Jessica Extine posted a pair of
runner-up finishes in her YHS debut, swimming :25.96 in the 50-yard freestyle and 1:05.61 in the 100-yard butterfly. Sophomore Kirsten Nickoli finished 2nd in the 500-yard freestyle.
Perhaps the most impressive performance of the night for Yorktown came from the 200-yard medley relay team. The quartet of Larah Beaver, Kersea Gable, Jessica Extine and Gabby LaVoie put up a 1:58.36 in the night's opening event, but lost its runner-up finish when a swimmer was disqualified for leaving the block early on an exchange.
That time is six seconds faster than the YHS medley relay team swam in the Lawrence North meet at this time one year ago. And the 2008-09 medley relay team didn't swim better than 1:58.36 until the sectional prelims! There is bound to be some tinkering with who ends up on this team and in what order between now and February. But take heart--if any of Yorktown's relay teams earn a trip to the 2010 State Meet, it's very likely to be the medley.
Next up for Head Coach Brad Grieshop's girls: the Westfield Invitational tomorrow, November 21st. Go Tigers!
Sophomores Larah Beaver and Sam Mahon captured the Tigers only victories of the evening. The ailing Beaver held off LN freshman Peyton Cunningham's late charge in the closest and most exciting race of the meet, taking the 100-yard freestyle in :56.24. Cunningham touched in :56.37. Mahon topped the 1-meter diving competition (diving scores were unavailable).
But there were some reasons for optimism among Tiger fans. Freshman Jessica Extine posted a pair of
runner-up finishes in her YHS debut, swimming :25.96 in the 50-yard freestyle and 1:05.61 in the 100-yard butterfly. Sophomore Kirsten Nickoli finished 2nd in the 500-yard freestyle.
Perhaps the most impressive performance of the night for Yorktown came from the 200-yard medley relay team. The quartet of Larah Beaver, Kersea Gable, Jessica Extine and Gabby LaVoie put up a 1:58.36 in the night's opening event, but lost its runner-up finish when a swimmer was disqualified for leaving the block early on an exchange.
That time is six seconds faster than the YHS medley relay team swam in the Lawrence North meet at this time one year ago. And the 2008-09 medley relay team didn't swim better than 1:58.36 until the sectional prelims! There is bound to be some tinkering with who ends up on this team and in what order between now and February. But take heart--if any of Yorktown's relay teams earn a trip to the 2010 State Meet, it's very likely to be the medley.
Next up for Head Coach Brad Grieshop's girls: the Westfield Invitational tomorrow, November 21st. Go Tigers!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
WHAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT IN LIFE
I'm pretty passionate about high school swimming. I have a daughter who's pretty good, and she's fortunate enough to be part of a program that has established a tradition of excellence that is envied by many other programs across Indiana. But it's just swimming, and here's why.
My son is a cadet at Culver Military Academy in northern Indiana. During their chapel service last Sunday, everyone in the congregation was asked to help with a Make A Wish project for a total stranger. His name is Noah, he is five years old, and he has brain cancer. His prognosis is not good--Noah's doctors don't think he'll live to see Christmas 2009. So Noah's family plans to celebrate Christmas early this year. Which brings me to his wish.
Noah could have asked for a fancy trip to a tourist attraction, or to meet some famous athlete. But he didn't--all Noah wants is to receive as many Christmas cards as possible. The Culver students were asked to make Noah a card, or write him a note. My son and many of his classmates did just that.
When my son told me about Noah and his plight, I was moved to tears. I wanted to make Noah a card of my own, and to donate money to his family for use as they see fit. That was just two days ago. I found out today that Noah's health is fading fast, and that his family is asking people not to send any more Christmas cards so they can focus their energies on him in his final days.
So I'll do what I can from here on out. I'll say an extra little prayer for Noah every time I think of him (which has been often over the last 48 hours). I'll make a donation to the American Cancer Society in the hopes of eliminating such an evil disease from the face of the earth. And I hope to march in Culver's Relay for Life event next spring to honor Noah, my own relatives who have died of cancer, and anyone else impacted by it.
What does all of this have to do with high school swimming? Nothing directly. But the next time you're at a meet, and it seems like your son or daughter's split time isn't fast enough, or you're unhappy with the final score, just remember life's REAL final score. And what our priorities should really be about. I know I will.
My son is a cadet at Culver Military Academy in northern Indiana. During their chapel service last Sunday, everyone in the congregation was asked to help with a Make A Wish project for a total stranger. His name is Noah, he is five years old, and he has brain cancer. His prognosis is not good--Noah's doctors don't think he'll live to see Christmas 2009. So Noah's family plans to celebrate Christmas early this year. Which brings me to his wish.
Noah could have asked for a fancy trip to a tourist attraction, or to meet some famous athlete. But he didn't--all Noah wants is to receive as many Christmas cards as possible. The Culver students were asked to make Noah a card, or write him a note. My son and many of his classmates did just that.
When my son told me about Noah and his plight, I was moved to tears. I wanted to make Noah a card of my own, and to donate money to his family for use as they see fit. That was just two days ago. I found out today that Noah's health is fading fast, and that his family is asking people not to send any more Christmas cards so they can focus their energies on him in his final days.
So I'll do what I can from here on out. I'll say an extra little prayer for Noah every time I think of him (which has been often over the last 48 hours). I'll make a donation to the American Cancer Society in the hopes of eliminating such an evil disease from the face of the earth. And I hope to march in Culver's Relay for Life event next spring to honor Noah, my own relatives who have died of cancer, and anyone else impacted by it.
What does all of this have to do with high school swimming? Nothing directly. But the next time you're at a meet, and it seems like your son or daughter's split time isn't fast enough, or you're unhappy with the final score, just remember life's REAL final score. And what our priorities should really be about. I know I will.
Monday, November 16, 2009
A TOUGH OPENER ON THE WAY
It'll be a battle of the felines this Thursday when the Yorktown Tigers tangle with the 17th ranked Lawrence North Wildcats. Lawrence North ventured to Yorktown last season and emerged with a 113-70 victory.
Many of the Wildcats' top swimmers return for more this season. Junior Julie Ogden and seniors Christina Noens and Lauren Wine form the nucleus for LN. Ogden, who finished 6th in the 100-yard butterfly at the 2009 IHSAA State Meet, starts the season as Indiana's 3rd ranked swimmer in that event. Ogden's high school career best time is :55.82.
Noens captured 15th place at the '09 State Meet in the 100-yard backstroke, and begins this season ranked 10th in the state. Her high school career best time is :58.11.
Wine joined Ogden and Noens on three Lawrence North teams that scored points at '09 State (200-yard medley relay finished 11th, 200-yard freestyle relay finished 10th, and 400-yard freestyle relay was 14th). You can count on Ogden, Noens and Wine to put the YHS swimmers to the early season test in a few days.
Go Tigers!
Many of the Wildcats' top swimmers return for more this season. Junior Julie Ogden and seniors Christina Noens and Lauren Wine form the nucleus for LN. Ogden, who finished 6th in the 100-yard butterfly at the 2009 IHSAA State Meet, starts the season as Indiana's 3rd ranked swimmer in that event. Ogden's high school career best time is :55.82.
Noens captured 15th place at the '09 State Meet in the 100-yard backstroke, and begins this season ranked 10th in the state. Her high school career best time is :58.11.
Wine joined Ogden and Noens on three Lawrence North teams that scored points at '09 State (200-yard medley relay finished 11th, 200-yard freestyle relay finished 10th, and 400-yard freestyle relay was 14th). You can count on Ogden, Noens and Wine to put the YHS swimmers to the early season test in a few days.
Go Tigers!
FUTURE OPPONENTS OFF TO FAST STARTS
The girls high school season is barely a week old across Indiana, and some future Yorktown High School opponents are off to fast starts.
Last Saturday's College Events Classic hosted by #1 Carmel included some very impressive swims for mid-November. Greyhounds' freshman phenom Lacey Locke served notice to the rest of the state's backstrokers that she'll be a force to be reckoned with this season. The multiple Indiana Age Group state champion blistered the water with a :56.34, taking first place in the 100-yard backstroke by nearly two seconds. Locke's time would have been good for 4th place at the 2009 IHSAA State Finals. Locke also won the 500-yard freestyle at Carmel in 5:08.94.
Senior Carly Mercer of Hamilton Southeastern (one of Yorktown's sectional rivals) was a double winner at the College Events Classic. The University of Arkansas recruit took the 100-yard freestyle in :51.85 and the 200-yard freestyle in 1:54.81.
Westfield senior Kait Flederbach was runner-up to Mercer in both races on Saturday. The Tigers will be getting a double dose of Flederbach soon. The defending IHSAA state champion in the 100-yard freestyle will lead the way as the Shamrocks host Yorktown and several other schools in the Westfield Invitational this Saturday. Yorktown gets another shot at Flederbach in a dual meet at Westfield two days after Thanksgiving.
And let's not forget "the region." Fifth ranked Chesterton won its season opener last week, beating beating Highland 149-34. Sophomore stud Olivia Kabacinski won the 100-yard freestyle (:51.96) and the 100-yard breaststroke (1:05.66) and swam on two victorious relay teams for the Trojans. Chesterton will be in the field at the upcoming Homestead Invitational in December.
Last Saturday's College Events Classic hosted by #1 Carmel included some very impressive swims for mid-November. Greyhounds' freshman phenom Lacey Locke served notice to the rest of the state's backstrokers that she'll be a force to be reckoned with this season. The multiple Indiana Age Group state champion blistered the water with a :56.34, taking first place in the 100-yard backstroke by nearly two seconds. Locke's time would have been good for 4th place at the 2009 IHSAA State Finals. Locke also won the 500-yard freestyle at Carmel in 5:08.94.
Senior Carly Mercer of Hamilton Southeastern (one of Yorktown's sectional rivals) was a double winner at the College Events Classic. The University of Arkansas recruit took the 100-yard freestyle in :51.85 and the 200-yard freestyle in 1:54.81.
Westfield senior Kait Flederbach was runner-up to Mercer in both races on Saturday. The Tigers will be getting a double dose of Flederbach soon. The defending IHSAA state champion in the 100-yard freestyle will lead the way as the Shamrocks host Yorktown and several other schools in the Westfield Invitational this Saturday. Yorktown gets another shot at Flederbach in a dual meet at Westfield two days after Thanksgiving.
And let's not forget "the region." Fifth ranked Chesterton won its season opener last week, beating beating Highland 149-34. Sophomore stud Olivia Kabacinski won the 100-yard freestyle (:51.96) and the 100-yard breaststroke (1:05.66) and swam on two victorious relay teams for the Trojans. Chesterton will be in the field at the upcoming Homestead Invitational in December.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
TIGER CAPTAINS EARN THEIR STRIPES
Yorktown's Tigers have chosen their captains for the 2009-10 swimming and diving season.
YHS Head Coach Brad Grieshop's girls will be led by a trio of captains when they open their season at 17th ranked Lawrence North on November 19th. Juniors Gabby LaVoie and Rachel Reising join senior Heather Elston as the team's designated leaders.
The YHS boys have chosen senior Cameron Watters and junior Adam Voss as their captains. Grieshop's guys hit the water for their first meet of the season on November 28th, when they join the girls in a dual meet at Westfield two days after Thanksgiving. The Shamrocks are ranked 11th among the girls teams in the pre-season poll released by the Indiana High School Swimming Coaches Association. The Westfield boys are #14 in the state as the season begins.
Congratulations to Gabby, Rachel, Heather, Cameron and Adam!
YHS Head Coach Brad Grieshop's girls will be led by a trio of captains when they open their season at 17th ranked Lawrence North on November 19th. Juniors Gabby LaVoie and Rachel Reising join senior Heather Elston as the team's designated leaders.
The YHS boys have chosen senior Cameron Watters and junior Adam Voss as their captains. Grieshop's guys hit the water for their first meet of the season on November 28th, when they join the girls in a dual meet at Westfield two days after Thanksgiving. The Shamrocks are ranked 11th among the girls teams in the pre-season poll released by the Indiana High School Swimming Coaches Association. The Westfield boys are #14 in the state as the season begins.
Congratulations to Gabby, Rachel, Heather, Cameron and Adam!
HATING THE ACHIEVERS
My family recently had an eye-opening experience. I'd like to share it with you.
My daughter Larah Beaver is a Yorktown High School swimmer. She's pretty good, a high school All-American at the age of 15, and a qualifier for both the upcoming U.S. National and Junior National meets. You don't get invited to those meets because you're lazy, or because of who you know, or how wealthy your parents are--the only way to get in is to swim the qualifying times--you have to EARN it. And she did.
On November 11th, The Star Press newspaper in Muncie published a feature story about Larah to kick off its coverage of the girls high school swimming season. But it's the online comments posted by readers that are the real reason for this post.
Here's what the haters, nutjobs and fools who hide behind anonymous user names accused us of, in no particular order, and my responses.
Inaccurate accusation 1: I actually wrote the story, and submitted it to The Star Press for publication, verbatim.
FACT 1: Reporter Jesse Temple approached YHS Head Coach Brad Grieshop about doing the story last week. Temple asked for interviews with the coach, Larah, and me. All three of us agreed. Sorry to disappoint you conspiracy theorists, but I didn't write a word of it--the story is Jesse Temple's, not mine.
Inaccurate accusation 2: That we've overblown my daughter's medical condition to make for a better, more dramatic story ... and that her condition is no big deal, anyway.
FACT 2: Larah's pain is real, not imagined, not manufactured, and at times that pain is absolutely debilitating. Sometimes she can fight through it and complete a workout; other times it prevents her from even getting in the water. If you suffer from the same condition and tolerate the pain better, my hat's off to you.
Inaccurate accusation 3: That there are better swimmers than Larah at Yorktown, let alone in Delaware County.
FACT 3: The story was about girls high school swimming, not boys high school, not girls middle school or club. Adam Voss, Austin Dunn, Michael Heavilon, Dan Proctor, and yes, even Lauren Elston, are all outstanding swimmers in their own rights. The last time I checked, Adam, Austin, Michael and Dan were still male. And Lauren is a middle schooler. So much for people actually reading and comprehending the written word. Nice literacy, y'all. And just for the record, Larah is the best girls high school swimmer in Delaware County. Not because she says it, not because I say it, not even because The Star Press says it--her TIMES say it.
Inaccurate accusation 4: That Larah's parents live through her swimming.
FACT 4: I don't speak for anyone but myself. Do I live through my daughter? Absolutely not. Her life is her own. Do I live FOR my daughter? Absolutely yes. There's nothing I wouldn't do for her. If you expect me to apologize for being proud of my daughter, and expressing it, you've come to the wrong place for the wrong thing. Get over it, get faster, or get lost.
Inaccurate accusation 5: That Larah owes all her accomplishments in swimming to
Jay Agnew, and that Brad Grieshop is a "wanna be" coach.
FACT 5: This one really cracks me up. It sounds like sour grapes from one of the swimming families that have picked up their ball and left Yorktown Swim Club to train with others, but you'll have to make your own judgments about that. During his tenure as YHS and YSC coach, Jay Agnew did a fantastic job bringing Larah and other swimmers along at the right pace instead of burning them out. We owe him a lot, and will forever be grateful to him. Other coaches along the way have also made a major impact, especially Emily Kowalski. But I won't allow you to demean a knowledgeable young coach because you don't like him personally. Larah had the best season of her career training under Brad Grieshop in 2008-09. The Yorktown High School boys team went to the sectional prelims last February and EVERY member of the team swam season best times that night. Again, all under the direction of Brad Grieshop. He's a good swim coach who's only going to get better--hopefully you haters won't run him off to another club or school. If that happens, YOU can serve on the next coaching search committee.
If my 20 years in news reporting taught me anything, it's this: that when people don't have any facts, they'll invent them to satisfy their own agendas. The other thing it taught me is that when you achieve at a high level, two things happen--one, so-called friends come out of the woodwork to share in your success. And two, even more people come out of the woodwork to hate you because you've done something they never could. Their pathetic, hollow little lives lack what you have, so they come after you instead of improving themselves.
So take all the personal shots you want at me, my daughter, her coach or her team. Just try using some facts, reason and logic to back up your raging idiocy next time.
My daughter Larah Beaver is a Yorktown High School swimmer. She's pretty good, a high school All-American at the age of 15, and a qualifier for both the upcoming U.S. National and Junior National meets. You don't get invited to those meets because you're lazy, or because of who you know, or how wealthy your parents are--the only way to get in is to swim the qualifying times--you have to EARN it. And she did.
On November 11th, The Star Press newspaper in Muncie published a feature story about Larah to kick off its coverage of the girls high school swimming season. But it's the online comments posted by readers that are the real reason for this post.
Here's what the haters, nutjobs and fools who hide behind anonymous user names accused us of, in no particular order, and my responses.
Inaccurate accusation 1: I actually wrote the story, and submitted it to The Star Press for publication, verbatim.
FACT 1: Reporter Jesse Temple approached YHS Head Coach Brad Grieshop about doing the story last week. Temple asked for interviews with the coach, Larah, and me. All three of us agreed. Sorry to disappoint you conspiracy theorists, but I didn't write a word of it--the story is Jesse Temple's, not mine.
Inaccurate accusation 2: That we've overblown my daughter's medical condition to make for a better, more dramatic story ... and that her condition is no big deal, anyway.
FACT 2: Larah's pain is real, not imagined, not manufactured, and at times that pain is absolutely debilitating. Sometimes she can fight through it and complete a workout; other times it prevents her from even getting in the water. If you suffer from the same condition and tolerate the pain better, my hat's off to you.
Inaccurate accusation 3: That there are better swimmers than Larah at Yorktown, let alone in Delaware County.
FACT 3: The story was about girls high school swimming, not boys high school, not girls middle school or club. Adam Voss, Austin Dunn, Michael Heavilon, Dan Proctor, and yes, even Lauren Elston, are all outstanding swimmers in their own rights. The last time I checked, Adam, Austin, Michael and Dan were still male. And Lauren is a middle schooler. So much for people actually reading and comprehending the written word. Nice literacy, y'all. And just for the record, Larah is the best girls high school swimmer in Delaware County. Not because she says it, not because I say it, not even because The Star Press says it--her TIMES say it.
Inaccurate accusation 4: That Larah's parents live through her swimming.
FACT 4: I don't speak for anyone but myself. Do I live through my daughter? Absolutely not. Her life is her own. Do I live FOR my daughter? Absolutely yes. There's nothing I wouldn't do for her. If you expect me to apologize for being proud of my daughter, and expressing it, you've come to the wrong place for the wrong thing. Get over it, get faster, or get lost.
Inaccurate accusation 5: That Larah owes all her accomplishments in swimming to
Jay Agnew, and that Brad Grieshop is a "wanna be" coach.
FACT 5: This one really cracks me up. It sounds like sour grapes from one of the swimming families that have picked up their ball and left Yorktown Swim Club to train with others, but you'll have to make your own judgments about that. During his tenure as YHS and YSC coach, Jay Agnew did a fantastic job bringing Larah and other swimmers along at the right pace instead of burning them out. We owe him a lot, and will forever be grateful to him. Other coaches along the way have also made a major impact, especially Emily Kowalski. But I won't allow you to demean a knowledgeable young coach because you don't like him personally. Larah had the best season of her career training under Brad Grieshop in 2008-09. The Yorktown High School boys team went to the sectional prelims last February and EVERY member of the team swam season best times that night. Again, all under the direction of Brad Grieshop. He's a good swim coach who's only going to get better--hopefully you haters won't run him off to another club or school. If that happens, YOU can serve on the next coaching search committee.
If my 20 years in news reporting taught me anything, it's this: that when people don't have any facts, they'll invent them to satisfy their own agendas. The other thing it taught me is that when you achieve at a high level, two things happen--one, so-called friends come out of the woodwork to share in your success. And two, even more people come out of the woodwork to hate you because you've done something they never could. Their pathetic, hollow little lives lack what you have, so they come after you instead of improving themselves.
So take all the personal shots you want at me, my daughter, her coach or her team. Just try using some facts, reason and logic to back up your raging idiocy next time.
Monday, November 9, 2009
LET THE GAMES BEGIN!
Well folks, the 2009-10 high school season is here. Today is the first date the Indiana High School Athletic Association allows girls teams to compete in meets. Boys teams are allowed to begin practicing today (as our Tigers did early this morning), and can hold their first meets two weeks from today.
But there's another very important IHSAA rule to be aware of, especially for parents of club swimmers who are embarking on their first high school season. Members of the Yorktown High School team who also compete for the Yorktown Swim Club may only swim in two club meets between now and the end of the IHSAA season. And those swimmers must file waiver requests with the IHSAA before they can compete in such club meets.
It would be a shame for an athlete to risk his or her eligibility by not complying with the IHSAA's waiver requirements. You can learn more about the process at http://www.ihsaa.org.
But there's another very important IHSAA rule to be aware of, especially for parents of club swimmers who are embarking on their first high school season. Members of the Yorktown High School team who also compete for the Yorktown Swim Club may only swim in two club meets between now and the end of the IHSAA season. And those swimmers must file waiver requests with the IHSAA before they can compete in such club meets.
It would be a shame for an athlete to risk his or her eligibility by not complying with the IHSAA's waiver requirements. You can learn more about the process at http://www.ihsaa.org.
SWIMMING IN MONEY vs. MONEY IN SWIMMING
Swimming is a sport with relatively little equipment--all a competitor really needs is a suit, goggles, perhaps a cap, and a towel for drying off. But that is far from all you're likely to spend your money on if you're a Yorktown High School swim parent.
The checklist of "highly recommended" items handed out to parents last week includes some justifiable expenses. Swimsuits and caps are necessary, especially for athletes who don't already have them through club swimming. And the $50 or so for road trip meals is money well spent. But much of the rest of the list is unnecessary, and represents a staggering financial blow for some families in this horrible economy.
I like to call it putting the packaging ahead of the product, the notion that it's more important to look good than be good. Eighty dollars for a so-called "team package" of warmup, bag and a shirt? Many of us bought those items last year, and they should suffice again in 2009-10. Buying new sets of warmups, bags and shirts each year is a luxury some cannot afford, and I believe it's simply a wasteful indulgence.
In case you haven't done the math, the total of the "highly recommended" items is about $190 for girls, about $170 for boys. For those lucky enough to be able to buy one of everything on the list (with personalization), get ready to part with about $360--per athlete. Imagine having more than one athlete on the team!
When you add on the required high school team booster dues, the costs of providing early morning breakfasts, and the other incidental expenses that come up during a typical season, the squeeze is on.
Of course, you risk being branded as a rebel or "not a team player" if everyone else is buying the things you don't (or more often, can't). So even the poorest parents will try to scrape together the money to keep up with the Joneses for the sake of their kids. I'll probably be branded with even stronger words for having the audacity to write this commentary. So be it.
It's high time we spend a lot more of our limited resources on the things we truly need, and a lot less on the things we simply want.
The checklist of "highly recommended" items handed out to parents last week includes some justifiable expenses. Swimsuits and caps are necessary, especially for athletes who don't already have them through club swimming. And the $50 or so for road trip meals is money well spent. But much of the rest of the list is unnecessary, and represents a staggering financial blow for some families in this horrible economy.
I like to call it putting the packaging ahead of the product, the notion that it's more important to look good than be good. Eighty dollars for a so-called "team package" of warmup, bag and a shirt? Many of us bought those items last year, and they should suffice again in 2009-10. Buying new sets of warmups, bags and shirts each year is a luxury some cannot afford, and I believe it's simply a wasteful indulgence.
In case you haven't done the math, the total of the "highly recommended" items is about $190 for girls, about $170 for boys. For those lucky enough to be able to buy one of everything on the list (with personalization), get ready to part with about $360--per athlete. Imagine having more than one athlete on the team!
When you add on the required high school team booster dues, the costs of providing early morning breakfasts, and the other incidental expenses that come up during a typical season, the squeeze is on.
Of course, you risk being branded as a rebel or "not a team player" if everyone else is buying the things you don't (or more often, can't). So even the poorest parents will try to scrape together the money to keep up with the Joneses for the sake of their kids. I'll probably be branded with even stronger words for having the audacity to write this commentary. So be it.
It's high time we spend a lot more of our limited resources on the things we truly need, and a lot less on the things we simply want.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Ohio State senior Jill Lockhart has been named one of four captains for the 2009-10 Buckeyes. This is the second-straight season Lockhart's teammates have voted her a captain.
Kentucky sophomore Kelsi Hall had another strong weekend, posting three victories on the Wildcats' road trip through Virginia. Hall anchored the winning 200-yard medley relay (1:44.67) in Kentucky's 176-122 loss to Virginia Tech on November 6th. Hall added two more wins in a 172-110 loss to Virginia on November 7th, anchoring both the 200-yard medley relay (1:44.95) and the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:34.09).
Eastern Michigan junior Sarah Kowalski continued her hot start to the 2009-10 season over the weekend, picking up three victories for the Eagles. Kowalski swam the leadoff leg of the winning
400-yard freestyle relay (3:35.56) in a 166-128 loss to Buffalo on November 6th. Kowalski collected two more wins in a 158-142 victory over Akron on November 7th, taking top honors in the 50-yard freestyle (:24.02) and the 100-yard freestyle (:51.88).
Kentucky sophomore Kelsi Hall had another strong weekend, posting three victories on the Wildcats' road trip through Virginia. Hall anchored the winning 200-yard medley relay (1:44.67) in Kentucky's 176-122 loss to Virginia Tech on November 6th. Hall added two more wins in a 172-110 loss to Virginia on November 7th, anchoring both the 200-yard medley relay (1:44.95) and the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:34.09).
Eastern Michigan junior Sarah Kowalski continued her hot start to the 2009-10 season over the weekend, picking up three victories for the Eagles. Kowalski swam the leadoff leg of the winning
400-yard freestyle relay (3:35.56) in a 166-128 loss to Buffalo on November 6th. Kowalski collected two more wins in a 158-142 victory over Akron on November 7th, taking top honors in the 50-yard freestyle (:24.02) and the 100-yard freestyle (:51.88).
Thursday, November 5, 2009
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
There's an old saying in sports--and in life--you can't be the best until you beat the best. That principle has been reflected in the Tigers' strength of schedule throughout this decade, and the upcoming season is no different.
A glance at the pre-season rankings compiled by the Indiana High School Swimming Coaches Association bears that out. Head Coach Brad Grieshop's girls will face at least six of the state's Top 20 teams in dual meets or invitationals during the 2009-10 season. The girls open with a dual meet at 17th ranked Lawrence North, face 11th ranked Westfield twice (first in the Westfield Invitational, then a dual meet a week later), and tackle 3rd ranked Noblesville, 5th ranked Chesterton, #7 Homestead and #16 Indianapolis North Central along the way.
Throw in tough dual meets with rivals Pendleton Heights (who should be ranked by Thanksgiving thanks to freestyler Autumn Brown), Delta and Muncie Central--and the very competitive Hoosier Heritage Conference meet in January--and you have a meat grinder of a schedule.
Then the girls get to compete with pre-season #2 Hamilton Southeastern and sixth ranked Fishers in the sectional.
The Yorktown boys face a similar challenge. Grieshop's guys have four of the pre-season's Top 20 on their horizon (#5 Chesterton, #12 Northridge, 14th ranked Westfield--twice, and 15th ranked Noblesville), plus the same dual meets, and one of the state's toughest sectionals (Hamilton Southeastern), where the pre-season #4 Royals and third ranked Fishers await.
The fine young men and women of Yorktown will need all your support between now and late February. Come to their meets, be loud and proud, and cheer them onto the State Meet!
A glance at the pre-season rankings compiled by the Indiana High School Swimming Coaches Association bears that out. Head Coach Brad Grieshop's girls will face at least six of the state's Top 20 teams in dual meets or invitationals during the 2009-10 season. The girls open with a dual meet at 17th ranked Lawrence North, face 11th ranked Westfield twice (first in the Westfield Invitational, then a dual meet a week later), and tackle 3rd ranked Noblesville, 5th ranked Chesterton, #7 Homestead and #16 Indianapolis North Central along the way.
Throw in tough dual meets with rivals Pendleton Heights (who should be ranked by Thanksgiving thanks to freestyler Autumn Brown), Delta and Muncie Central--and the very competitive Hoosier Heritage Conference meet in January--and you have a meat grinder of a schedule.
Then the girls get to compete with pre-season #2 Hamilton Southeastern and sixth ranked Fishers in the sectional.
The Yorktown boys face a similar challenge. Grieshop's guys have four of the pre-season's Top 20 on their horizon (#5 Chesterton, #12 Northridge, 14th ranked Westfield--twice, and 15th ranked Noblesville), plus the same dual meets, and one of the state's toughest sectionals (Hamilton Southeastern), where the pre-season #4 Royals and third ranked Fishers await.
The fine young men and women of Yorktown will need all your support between now and late February. Come to their meets, be loud and proud, and cheer them onto the State Meet!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
YORKTOWN BOYS IN TOP 10
The Yorktown High School boys swim team will open its 2009-10 season with high hopes--and a Top 10 ranking!
Head Coach Brad Grieshop's Tigers are number eight in the state in the pre-season rankings released by the Indiana High School Swimming Coaches Association. That position is a bit misleading, because the IHSSCA inadvertantly included the graduated Shay Daberko's times in compiling this season's poll. Munster carries Indiana's top ranking heading into 2009-10 after a state runner-up showing at last season's state meet. Defending state champion Chesterton (and Michigan recruit Kyle Whitaker) start the season number five.
Two Yorktown boys have earned pre-season rankings in their individual events, led by junior All-American Adam Voss. Voss holds a pair of rankings with the start of the boys season just a few weeks away, earning the 5th ranking in the 200-yard freestyle (1:42.67), and 7th in the 100-yard butterfly (:51.29).
Sophomore Austin Dunn joins Voss on the pre-season list of the state's best, ranking 14th in the 100-yard butterfly (:53.11).
Two other boys who scored at last season's Fishers sectional are back to provide quality and depth for this year's edition of the Tigers. Junior Michael Heavilon finished 5th in the 500-yard freestyle (5:05.80) and 9th in the 200-yard individual medley (2:06.24) and will look to improve on those finishes next February; Senior Cameron Watters was right on Heavilon's heels last season, taking 6th in the 500-yard freestyle (5:05.98) and 8th in the 100-yard backstroke (:56.69). Both should be major contributors this season.
The boys high school season in Indiana begins and ends two weeks after the girls, so Grieshop's boys won't have their first official practice until November 9th. Their schedule begins on November 28th, when the boys join the girls for a dual meet at Westfield.
Head Coach Brad Grieshop's Tigers are number eight in the state in the pre-season rankings released by the Indiana High School Swimming Coaches Association. That position is a bit misleading, because the IHSSCA inadvertantly included the graduated Shay Daberko's times in compiling this season's poll. Munster carries Indiana's top ranking heading into 2009-10 after a state runner-up showing at last season's state meet. Defending state champion Chesterton (and Michigan recruit Kyle Whitaker) start the season number five.
Two Yorktown boys have earned pre-season rankings in their individual events, led by junior All-American Adam Voss. Voss holds a pair of rankings with the start of the boys season just a few weeks away, earning the 5th ranking in the 200-yard freestyle (1:42.67), and 7th in the 100-yard butterfly (:51.29).
Sophomore Austin Dunn joins Voss on the pre-season list of the state's best, ranking 14th in the 100-yard butterfly (:53.11).
Two other boys who scored at last season's Fishers sectional are back to provide quality and depth for this year's edition of the Tigers. Junior Michael Heavilon finished 5th in the 500-yard freestyle (5:05.80) and 9th in the 200-yard individual medley (2:06.24) and will look to improve on those finishes next February; Senior Cameron Watters was right on Heavilon's heels last season, taking 6th in the 500-yard freestyle (5:05.98) and 8th in the 100-yard backstroke (:56.69). Both should be major contributors this season.
The boys high school season in Indiana begins and ends two weeks after the girls, so Grieshop's boys won't have their first official practice until November 9th. Their schedule begins on November 28th, when the boys join the girls for a dual meet at Westfield.
Monday, November 2, 2009
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Former Yorktown swimmers are making waves early in the 2009-10 NCAA season.
Ohio State senior Jill Lockhart won the 200-yard freestyle (1:54.55) in the Buckeyes' victory over Kenyon College on October 30th.
Auburn senior Maggie Bird has been named the lady Tigers captain entering her final college season.
Kentucky sophomore Kelsi Hall already has several 1st place finishes this season. Hall won the 100-yard breaststroke (1:05.52) and anchored the victorious 400-yard freestyle relay (3:26.28) against South Carolina on October 9th. Hall was a triple winner against Arkansas and Cumberland on October 17th, taking the 50-yard freestyle (:23.48), and anchoring both the 200-yard medley relay (1:43.05) and the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:28.19). Hall topped off an impressive month by swimming the leadoff leg of the 200-yard freestyle relay that took top honors (1:34.19) against Tennessee on October 30th.
Eastern Michigan junior Sarah Kowalski made the 100-yard freestyle her personal playground over the weekend, winning the race against Bowling Green (:52.01) on October 30th, then making it two-straight against Toledo and Wisconsin-Milwaukee (51.87) on October 31st.
Purdue freshman Dan Farrell scored points in his first college meet, placing 13th in the 50-yard freestyle (22.64) and as part of the Boilermakers' runner-up 200-yard freestyle relay team at the Indiana Intercollegiates meet on October 10th.
Ohio State senior Jill Lockhart won the 200-yard freestyle (1:54.55) in the Buckeyes' victory over Kenyon College on October 30th.
Auburn senior Maggie Bird has been named the lady Tigers captain entering her final college season.
Kentucky sophomore Kelsi Hall already has several 1st place finishes this season. Hall won the 100-yard breaststroke (1:05.52) and anchored the victorious 400-yard freestyle relay (3:26.28) against South Carolina on October 9th. Hall was a triple winner against Arkansas and Cumberland on October 17th, taking the 50-yard freestyle (:23.48), and anchoring both the 200-yard medley relay (1:43.05) and the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:28.19). Hall topped off an impressive month by swimming the leadoff leg of the 200-yard freestyle relay that took top honors (1:34.19) against Tennessee on October 30th.
Eastern Michigan junior Sarah Kowalski made the 100-yard freestyle her personal playground over the weekend, winning the race against Bowling Green (:52.01) on October 30th, then making it two-straight against Toledo and Wisconsin-Milwaukee (51.87) on October 31st.
Purdue freshman Dan Farrell scored points in his first college meet, placing 13th in the 50-yard freestyle (22.64) and as part of the Boilermakers' runner-up 200-yard freestyle relay team at the Indiana Intercollegiates meet on October 10th.
TIGER GIRLS EARN PRE-SEASON RANKING
The Yorktown High School girls swimming and diving team will share the state's 25th ranking when they open their 2009-10 season later this month. Head Coach Brad Grieshop's Tigers are tied with Bloomington South in the pre-season rankings released by the Indiana High School Swimming Coaches Association (IHSSCA). Carmel's 23-time defending state champion Greyhounds hold the top ranking. You can see the full girls rankings at http://www.inswim.net/.
The IHSSCA pre-season team and individual rankings are based on a theoretical state meet, using the best times times posted by swimmers during the 2008-09 season (excluding relays and diving). Once the 2009-10 season begins, the IHSSCA poll will be updated weekly, based on the best times reported to IHSSCA.
Sophomore All-American Larah Beaver leads the way for the Tigers heading into the new season. Beaver is ranked 4th in Indiana in the 100-yard backstroke with a best time of :57.10, trailing only Amalia Kobelja of Ft. Wayne Snider (:55.90), Aubrey Hertzler of Hamilton Southeastern (:56.33), and Allie Day of Center Grove (:56.47). Look for another nailbiter between Hertzler and Beaver when they square off in the Fishers sectional in early February.
Several other Tiger girls are expected to be strong contributors to the cause in 2009-10. Senior Heather Elston returns following a 9th place finish in the 100-yard backstroke at last season's Hamilton Southeastern sectional. Sophomore Kirsten Nickoli will look to build on a 10th place sectional finish in the 500-yard freestyle. Sophomore Sam Mahon and Junior Gabby LaVoie teamed with Elston and Nickoli for a 5th place showing in the sectional 400-yard freestyle relay. Mahon is the leading returning diver for YHS, and will also add depth in the freestyle and butterfly strokes. Look for LaVoie to make some noise in the freestyle and the 100-yard breaststroke.
For the second straight year, freshmen will be called on to score significant points for the Tigers. Jessica Extine will make an immediate impact in the freestyle sprints and the butterfly, with Kersea Gable providing Grieshop another quality breaststroker capable of scoring right away.
The Tiger girls open their 2009-10 season on November 19th, when they hit the road for a dual meet at 17th ranked Lawrence North.
The IHSSCA pre-season team and individual rankings are based on a theoretical state meet, using the best times times posted by swimmers during the 2008-09 season (excluding relays and diving). Once the 2009-10 season begins, the IHSSCA poll will be updated weekly, based on the best times reported to IHSSCA.
Sophomore All-American Larah Beaver leads the way for the Tigers heading into the new season. Beaver is ranked 4th in Indiana in the 100-yard backstroke with a best time of :57.10, trailing only Amalia Kobelja of Ft. Wayne Snider (:55.90), Aubrey Hertzler of Hamilton Southeastern (:56.33), and Allie Day of Center Grove (:56.47). Look for another nailbiter between Hertzler and Beaver when they square off in the Fishers sectional in early February.
Several other Tiger girls are expected to be strong contributors to the cause in 2009-10. Senior Heather Elston returns following a 9th place finish in the 100-yard backstroke at last season's Hamilton Southeastern sectional. Sophomore Kirsten Nickoli will look to build on a 10th place sectional finish in the 500-yard freestyle. Sophomore Sam Mahon and Junior Gabby LaVoie teamed with Elston and Nickoli for a 5th place showing in the sectional 400-yard freestyle relay. Mahon is the leading returning diver for YHS, and will also add depth in the freestyle and butterfly strokes. Look for LaVoie to make some noise in the freestyle and the 100-yard breaststroke.
For the second straight year, freshmen will be called on to score significant points for the Tigers. Jessica Extine will make an immediate impact in the freestyle sprints and the butterfly, with Kersea Gable providing Grieshop another quality breaststroker capable of scoring right away.
The Tiger girls open their 2009-10 season on November 19th, when they hit the road for a dual meet at 17th ranked Lawrence North.
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