The Yorktown Tigers have begun climbing up the ladder in the rankings released today by the Indiana High School Swimming Coaches Association.
Head coach Brad Grieshop's boys jumped six spots from a week ago and find themselves the state's #14 team heading into the gruelling Christmas break training regimen. All three YHS boys relays also improved on their rankings from the December 14 poll--the 200-yard freestyle relay team's 1:31.64 is ranked #13 this week; the 400-yard freestyle relay team's 3:19.41 is also #13; and the 200-yard medley relay squad finds itself in the #14 position with a best time of 1:41.90. Congrats to senior Cameron Watters, juniors Adam Voss and Michael Heavilon, and sophomore Austin Dunn!
Two Tiger boys remain ranked in individual events. Voss is #6 in the 200-yard freestyle (1:42.67) and #7 in the 100-yard butterfly (51.29). Dunn joins Voss in the butterfly rankings at #15 (53.11), but fell out of the 100-yard freestyle rankings this week (it now takes a sub-50 to get onto the list of the 32 best in Indiana in that event).
On the girls side, Yorktown has moved into a tie with Lake Central for #30. The YHS 200-yard medley relay team (sophomore Larah Beaver and freshmen Kersea Gable, Jessica Extine and Caroline Grasso) has slipped into the #32 ranking with a 2:00.23, although their time of 1:59.13 against Noblesville last week would have been good enough for #29.
Beaver continues to be the only Tiger with an individual event ranking, holding down the #6 position in the 100-yard backstroke with a 57.10. Beaver's lifetime best of 54.09 would place her at #25 in the 100-yard freestyle if it were reported, and Extine's 24.69 in the 50-yard freestyle (at the club FAST Santa Claus Classic) would be good for #23 had it occurred in a YHS meet. Way to go, girls!
The Tigers will spend the next 2-1/2 weeks building their conditioning before taking on New Castle on January 7th.
GO TIGERS!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
MILLERS SWEEP TIGERS
The powerful Noblesville Millers showed why they're among the state's highest ranked teams Thursday night at Yorktown. The #5 Noblesville girls won 9 out of 12 events to top the Tigers 111-72, and the #8 Miller boys held off a late challenge from the Tigers to beat Yorktown 103-81. Noblesville pulled off the sweep despite not performing at full strength (some of head coach Rich Wolfred's top athletes didn't compete, including stud divers Meghan Potee and Katie Bittner).
On the boys side, the "Cardiac Kid" Tigers built an early lead, then fought back from a mid-meet deficit to take their best shot at an upset of the Millers. A 1-2 finish from senior Cameron Watters (5:11.76) and junior Michael Heavilon (5:12.94) in the 500-yard freestyle put Yorktown back in front 63-62 with just four more events left.
But Yorktown couldn't sustain the rally--the deep Millers put the pedal down in the next event, finishing 1-2 in the 200-yard freestyle relay to turn a one-point deficit into an insurmountable 74-65 lead. Noblesville rode that depth to expand their lead the rest of the evening to put away the Tigers.
Head coach Brad Grieshop's boys actually won half of the meet's 12 events. Watters was a double winner, adding the 100-yard backstroke (58.93) to his victory in the 500 free; junior Adam Voss captured two individual wins, taking the 200-yard freestyle (1:48.40) and the 100-yard butterfly (53.61). And sophomore Austin Dunn had the second-most exciting performance of the night to bring home the blue ribbon in the 100-yard freestyle. Dunn and Noblesville's Tommy Verbrugge (pronounced vur-BROOG-ee) were seeded just .02 of a second apart going to the blocks. They waged a heavyweight boxing-style race, Dunn edging Verbrugge 50.95 to 50.96!
Yorktown's other first place finish came from the 200-yard medley relay team of Watters, Dunn, Voss and Heavilon. They held off a tough Millers squad to best the field in 1:47.03.
The Tiger girls never seriously threatened Noblesville. The Millers had already doubled up on YHS following the first four events, taking a 42-20 lead into the diving break. Yorktown's girls outscored NHS 13-0 in the diving competition (without the Millers' Potee or Bittner) to pull the Tigers within 42-33. But it took Noblesville just two more events to expand the lead to 19 points (63-44).
Three Yorktown girls managed to post wins on Thursday night. Sophomore Sam Mahon continued her dual meet win streak in diving, taking top honors with a score of 188.70. Sophomore Larah Beaver was victorious in the 100-yard backstroke (1:01.22). But freshman Jessica Extine had the MOST exciting highlight of the night.
Extine battled state-ranked NHS senior Audrey Welklin stroke for stroke in the 50-yard freestyle, bringing the frenzied crowd to its feet. Extine and Welklin settled for a first place tie, each touching in 25.60. In all my years attending swim meets, last night was the first time I've ever seen one event end in a dead heat and ANOTHER be settled by .01 of a second.
Last night's meet marks the end of the so-called "first half" of the season (the girls have already passed the halfway mark in the number of meets on the schedule). Yorktown's Tigers won't race again until they resume their season with a dual meet at New Castle on January 7th.
The Tigers, who appear to be both mentally and physically exhausted, now face an even TOUGHER test. They'll spend the Christmas break doubling up on practices, enduring the high-intensity training regimen that will push them to their limits.
It is no exaggeration to say that some Tigers will be pushed to their breaking points over the next two weeks. We don't want to lose anyone to injury or burnout--our rosters are too small to absorb any reductions in personnel. So this is a CRITICAL time to make sure your athlete stays hydrated, well fed, getting as much rest as possible between workouts, and focused on the BENEFITS of this gruelling time instead of focusing on the demands themselves.
Stay strong, Tigers!
On the boys side, the "Cardiac Kid" Tigers built an early lead, then fought back from a mid-meet deficit to take their best shot at an upset of the Millers. A 1-2 finish from senior Cameron Watters (5:11.76) and junior Michael Heavilon (5:12.94) in the 500-yard freestyle put Yorktown back in front 63-62 with just four more events left.
But Yorktown couldn't sustain the rally--the deep Millers put the pedal down in the next event, finishing 1-2 in the 200-yard freestyle relay to turn a one-point deficit into an insurmountable 74-65 lead. Noblesville rode that depth to expand their lead the rest of the evening to put away the Tigers.
Head coach Brad Grieshop's boys actually won half of the meet's 12 events. Watters was a double winner, adding the 100-yard backstroke (58.93) to his victory in the 500 free; junior Adam Voss captured two individual wins, taking the 200-yard freestyle (1:48.40) and the 100-yard butterfly (53.61). And sophomore Austin Dunn had the second-most exciting performance of the night to bring home the blue ribbon in the 100-yard freestyle. Dunn and Noblesville's Tommy Verbrugge (pronounced vur-BROOG-ee) were seeded just .02 of a second apart going to the blocks. They waged a heavyweight boxing-style race, Dunn edging Verbrugge 50.95 to 50.96!
Yorktown's other first place finish came from the 200-yard medley relay team of Watters, Dunn, Voss and Heavilon. They held off a tough Millers squad to best the field in 1:47.03.
The Tiger girls never seriously threatened Noblesville. The Millers had already doubled up on YHS following the first four events, taking a 42-20 lead into the diving break. Yorktown's girls outscored NHS 13-0 in the diving competition (without the Millers' Potee or Bittner) to pull the Tigers within 42-33. But it took Noblesville just two more events to expand the lead to 19 points (63-44).
Three Yorktown girls managed to post wins on Thursday night. Sophomore Sam Mahon continued her dual meet win streak in diving, taking top honors with a score of 188.70. Sophomore Larah Beaver was victorious in the 100-yard backstroke (1:01.22). But freshman Jessica Extine had the MOST exciting highlight of the night.
Extine battled state-ranked NHS senior Audrey Welklin stroke for stroke in the 50-yard freestyle, bringing the frenzied crowd to its feet. Extine and Welklin settled for a first place tie, each touching in 25.60. In all my years attending swim meets, last night was the first time I've ever seen one event end in a dead heat and ANOTHER be settled by .01 of a second.
Last night's meet marks the end of the so-called "first half" of the season (the girls have already passed the halfway mark in the number of meets on the schedule). Yorktown's Tigers won't race again until they resume their season with a dual meet at New Castle on January 7th.
The Tigers, who appear to be both mentally and physically exhausted, now face an even TOUGHER test. They'll spend the Christmas break doubling up on practices, enduring the high-intensity training regimen that will push them to their limits.
It is no exaggeration to say that some Tigers will be pushed to their breaking points over the next two weeks. We don't want to lose anyone to injury or burnout--our rosters are too small to absorb any reductions in personnel. So this is a CRITICAL time to make sure your athlete stays hydrated, well fed, getting as much rest as possible between workouts, and focused on the BENEFITS of this gruelling time instead of focusing on the demands themselves.
Stay strong, Tigers!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
NOBLESVILLE TO VISIT YORKTOWN
The Yorktown Tigers have another tall order to fill this Thursday when they host the Noblesville Millers. The dual meet marks the final competition for the Tigers before their intensive training period over the Christmas holiday break.
YHS head coach Brad Grieshop's high school alma mater is loaded with talent again this season. The Millers bring the #5 girls team ranking and the #8 boys team ranking into Thursday's meet.
Noblesville's high rankings are well deserved. NHS head coach Rich Wolfred's roster is full of state ranked swimmers and divers. The Millers have two girls ranked among Indiana's best in the 50-yard freestyle this week (junior Marley Cripe is 10th at 24.26 and sophomore Claire Brolsma is 18th at 24.57). Cripe is 7th in the 100-yard freestyle rankings (52.43); senior Audrey Welklin is 8th in the 200-yard freestyle (1:53.01) and 5th in the 500-yard freestyle (5:00.81); sophomore Aubrey Kluth is #30 in the 500-yard freestyle (5:24.42); sophomore Rachel Thompson is #32 in the 200-yard IM (2:17.20); NHS has two more ranked swimmers in the 100-yard breaststroke, Thompson at #14 (1:06.80) and freshman Heather Hayes at #15 (1:06.96); sophomore Cora Meehan is 29th in the 100-yard backstroke (1:01.08); and the Millers have two of the top four divers in Indiana--junior Katie Bittner (#2 at 268.70), who won the IHSAA state championship in the event last season, and senior Meghan Potee (#4 245.13).
As if that weren't enough, Noblesville's relay teams are also top notch. The Miller girls are #6 in the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:41.21), #12 in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:44.85), and #11 in the 200-yard medley relay (1:52.08).
How about the Noblesville boys? Well, simply put, more of the same. Senior Collin Hanson is ranked 6th in the 50-yard freestyle (21.41) and 5th in the 100-yard freestyle (47.41); junior Ben May joins Hanson in the 100-yard freestyle rankings at 15th (48.47); May is #24 in the 200-yard freestyle (1:48.30), with sophomore teammate Tommy Verbrugge at #31 (1:50.57); Verbrugge is one of two more Millers in the 500-yard freestyle rankings (#30 at 5:03.84), with freshman Nick Strader #32 (5:04.28); senior Mike Reichert is 28th in the 200-yard IM (2:03.80); sophomore Kevin Lunte is 29th in the 100-yard butterfly (55.80) and 26th in the 100-yard backstroke (56.66).
The NHS boys relays are also strong--#6 in the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:30.51), #4 in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:16.72), and #16 in the 200-yard medley relay (1:43.89).
Thursday's meet is scheduled to begin at 5:15 p.m.
GO TIGERS!
YHS head coach Brad Grieshop's high school alma mater is loaded with talent again this season. The Millers bring the #5 girls team ranking and the #8 boys team ranking into Thursday's meet.
Noblesville's high rankings are well deserved. NHS head coach Rich Wolfred's roster is full of state ranked swimmers and divers. The Millers have two girls ranked among Indiana's best in the 50-yard freestyle this week (junior Marley Cripe is 10th at 24.26 and sophomore Claire Brolsma is 18th at 24.57). Cripe is 7th in the 100-yard freestyle rankings (52.43); senior Audrey Welklin is 8th in the 200-yard freestyle (1:53.01) and 5th in the 500-yard freestyle (5:00.81); sophomore Aubrey Kluth is #30 in the 500-yard freestyle (5:24.42); sophomore Rachel Thompson is #32 in the 200-yard IM (2:17.20); NHS has two more ranked swimmers in the 100-yard breaststroke, Thompson at #14 (1:06.80) and freshman Heather Hayes at #15 (1:06.96); sophomore Cora Meehan is 29th in the 100-yard backstroke (1:01.08); and the Millers have two of the top four divers in Indiana--junior Katie Bittner (#2 at 268.70), who won the IHSAA state championship in the event last season, and senior Meghan Potee (#4 245.13).
As if that weren't enough, Noblesville's relay teams are also top notch. The Miller girls are #6 in the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:41.21), #12 in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:44.85), and #11 in the 200-yard medley relay (1:52.08).
How about the Noblesville boys? Well, simply put, more of the same. Senior Collin Hanson is ranked 6th in the 50-yard freestyle (21.41) and 5th in the 100-yard freestyle (47.41); junior Ben May joins Hanson in the 100-yard freestyle rankings at 15th (48.47); May is #24 in the 200-yard freestyle (1:48.30), with sophomore teammate Tommy Verbrugge at #31 (1:50.57); Verbrugge is one of two more Millers in the 500-yard freestyle rankings (#30 at 5:03.84), with freshman Nick Strader #32 (5:04.28); senior Mike Reichert is 28th in the 200-yard IM (2:03.80); sophomore Kevin Lunte is 29th in the 100-yard butterfly (55.80) and 26th in the 100-yard backstroke (56.66).
The NHS boys relays are also strong--#6 in the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:30.51), #4 in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:16.72), and #16 in the 200-yard medley relay (1:43.89).
Thursday's meet is scheduled to begin at 5:15 p.m.
GO TIGERS!
LATEST SWIMMING RANKINGS RELEASED
Yorktown continues to show up among the state's best in the latest rankings released by the Indiana High School Swimming Coaches Association.
In the team polls, the Yorktown girls are #32 (46 girls teams are ranked this week, with Carmel still #1). Yorktown's boys are tied with Jeffersonville and Plainfield for 20th (51 boys teams are in the poll, with #1 Chesterton holding a slim three-point lead over #2 Carmel).
Several YHS girls now boast individual or relay team rankings. The 200-yard medley relay team (sophomore Larah Beaver and freshmen Jessica Extine, Kersea Gable and Caroline Grasso) has moved into this week's rankings at #24 (2:00.23). Beaver continues to be ranked 6th in the state in the 100-yard backstroke with a lifetime best of 57.10.
The boys are also making noise this week, especially in the relay rankings. All three YHS relays are in the poll; the "Fab 4" quartet of senior Cameron Watters, juniors Adam Voss and Michael Heavilon, and sophomore Austin Dunn are #16 in the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:33.22). The same swimmers find themselves at #16 in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:23.77) and #19 in the 200-yard medley relay (1:45.70).
The Tiger boys also have two individuals in the rankings. Sophomore Austin Dunn has moved into the 30th spot in the 100-yard freestyle (50.54) and is #15 in the 100-yard butterfly (53.11); junior Adam Voss is at #6 in the 200-yard freestyle (1:42.67) and is ranked 7th in the 100-yard butterfly (51.29).
In the team polls, the Yorktown girls are #32 (46 girls teams are ranked this week, with Carmel still #1). Yorktown's boys are tied with Jeffersonville and Plainfield for 20th (51 boys teams are in the poll, with #1 Chesterton holding a slim three-point lead over #2 Carmel).
Several YHS girls now boast individual or relay team rankings. The 200-yard medley relay team (sophomore Larah Beaver and freshmen Jessica Extine, Kersea Gable and Caroline Grasso) has moved into this week's rankings at #24 (2:00.23). Beaver continues to be ranked 6th in the state in the 100-yard backstroke with a lifetime best of 57.10.
The boys are also making noise this week, especially in the relay rankings. All three YHS relays are in the poll; the "Fab 4" quartet of senior Cameron Watters, juniors Adam Voss and Michael Heavilon, and sophomore Austin Dunn are #16 in the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:33.22). The same swimmers find themselves at #16 in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:23.77) and #19 in the 200-yard medley relay (1:45.70).
The Tiger boys also have two individuals in the rankings. Sophomore Austin Dunn has moved into the 30th spot in the 100-yard freestyle (50.54) and is #15 in the 100-yard butterfly (53.11); junior Adam Voss is at #6 in the 200-yard freestyle (1:42.67) and is ranked 7th in the 100-yard butterfly (51.29).
Monday, December 14, 2009
TIGERS GET MAULED AT HOMESTEAD
Saturday's 10th annual Homestead Invitational was a fantastic display of high quality mid-season racing and gutsy performances. Unfortunately, the vast majority of those efforts came from swimmers who aren't from Yorktown. But more about that in a moment. First, the final team standings from Saturday:
Boys--1. Northridge 490, 2. Chesterton 478, 3. Homestead 464, 4. Indianapolis North Central, 5. Yorktown 225.
Girls--1. Chesterton 564.5, 2. Homestead 488, 3. Northridge 425, 4. Indianapolis North Central 351.5, 5. Yorktown 169.
This meet is known for its high level of competition, and for the fast times it typically produces. If you show up at Homestead unable or unwilling to "dial it up" against some of the state's top quality teams and individuals, you'll get your teeth kicked in. And that's just what happened to the Tigers on Saturday.
Yorktown had 66 individual and relay team entrants get in the pool on Saturday. Of those 66, only 14 swam faster than their seed times. Of those 14, six were from athletes who were considered "no time" entrants. So they automatically get a pass for an improvement. That means only eight YHS entries improved on their established times at Homestead.
All six of Yorktown's 'A' relay teams swam slower than their seed times. Some of the Tigers most talented swimmers added significant amounts of time to their previous lifetime bests. Perhaps most glaringly, YHS swimmers finished in the bottom four places in three of the days events, and in the bottom three places in two other events.
I know what some of you are probably thinking. Cut them a break, it's the middle of the season, the kids are exhausted, they aren't supposed to be swimming fast in mid-December, etc. Well, those are excuses and cop outs. Every other team that showed up on Saturday was in the middle of the season, exhausted, and not supposed to be swimming fast in mid-December. THEY raced, we DIDN'T. It's all about effort and mindset, and if you need proof, here you go.
Chesterton's Kyle Whitaker is a world class swimmer. If anyone at Homestead could have been excused for skipping the 15-minute warm-up break between Saturday's 50 free and 100 fly, it's him. The guy's resume speaks for itself. But Whitaker was the LAST boy out of the pool during the break. Other swimmers from other teams also spent the break in the pool, working on stroke technique, or turns, or just getting a better feel for the water.
At the same time, many Yorktown kids were eating snacks, chit chatting with friends, posing for photos, etc., you know, the really important things at a swim meet.
All Whitaker did at the end of the meet was swim an incredible 44-second split in the 400-yard freestyle relay to turn a six-yard deficit into a victory by .04 second. That's not a typo, Whitaker swam a 44-second split over 100 yards, with WATER in his goggles!
As a journalist, I covered sporting events for 20 years. What Whitaker did Saturday was the greatest thing I've ever seen a high school athlete do, bar none. I don't know how many Yorktown Tigers were actually bothering to watch the race at the time, but they should have been. And they should have been inspired by Whitaker's burning desire to win. We could use a BIG dose of that spirit around here.
What I witnessed from the Tigers on Saturday was just sad. The Yorktown greats of the past (Ruth, Mattingly, Barttrum, Lockhart, Bird, and Hall) didn't build this program to have their legacy tarnished like this. They built it with pride, sacrifice, and determination so future Tigers would embrace the challenge, and take the program to even greater heights. They RACED!
Yorktown dropped out of the College Events Classic at Carmel this year because we were no longer competitive there. Saturday proved the same is true of the Homestead Invitational. We should not go back to Homestead until we belong there again. The other teams deserve better, and we are far from that right now.
It's only this writer's opinion, but the gap between what this once-proud program was, and what it has become, is an embarrassment.
Boys--1. Northridge 490, 2. Chesterton 478, 3. Homestead 464, 4. Indianapolis North Central, 5. Yorktown 225.
Girls--1. Chesterton 564.5, 2. Homestead 488, 3. Northridge 425, 4. Indianapolis North Central 351.5, 5. Yorktown 169.
This meet is known for its high level of competition, and for the fast times it typically produces. If you show up at Homestead unable or unwilling to "dial it up" against some of the state's top quality teams and individuals, you'll get your teeth kicked in. And that's just what happened to the Tigers on Saturday.
Yorktown had 66 individual and relay team entrants get in the pool on Saturday. Of those 66, only 14 swam faster than their seed times. Of those 14, six were from athletes who were considered "no time" entrants. So they automatically get a pass for an improvement. That means only eight YHS entries improved on their established times at Homestead.
All six of Yorktown's 'A' relay teams swam slower than their seed times. Some of the Tigers most talented swimmers added significant amounts of time to their previous lifetime bests. Perhaps most glaringly, YHS swimmers finished in the bottom four places in three of the days events, and in the bottom three places in two other events.
I know what some of you are probably thinking. Cut them a break, it's the middle of the season, the kids are exhausted, they aren't supposed to be swimming fast in mid-December, etc. Well, those are excuses and cop outs. Every other team that showed up on Saturday was in the middle of the season, exhausted, and not supposed to be swimming fast in mid-December. THEY raced, we DIDN'T. It's all about effort and mindset, and if you need proof, here you go.
Chesterton's Kyle Whitaker is a world class swimmer. If anyone at Homestead could have been excused for skipping the 15-minute warm-up break between Saturday's 50 free and 100 fly, it's him. The guy's resume speaks for itself. But Whitaker was the LAST boy out of the pool during the break. Other swimmers from other teams also spent the break in the pool, working on stroke technique, or turns, or just getting a better feel for the water.
At the same time, many Yorktown kids were eating snacks, chit chatting with friends, posing for photos, etc., you know, the really important things at a swim meet.
All Whitaker did at the end of the meet was swim an incredible 44-second split in the 400-yard freestyle relay to turn a six-yard deficit into a victory by .04 second. That's not a typo, Whitaker swam a 44-second split over 100 yards, with WATER in his goggles!
As a journalist, I covered sporting events for 20 years. What Whitaker did Saturday was the greatest thing I've ever seen a high school athlete do, bar none. I don't know how many Yorktown Tigers were actually bothering to watch the race at the time, but they should have been. And they should have been inspired by Whitaker's burning desire to win. We could use a BIG dose of that spirit around here.
What I witnessed from the Tigers on Saturday was just sad. The Yorktown greats of the past (Ruth, Mattingly, Barttrum, Lockhart, Bird, and Hall) didn't build this program to have their legacy tarnished like this. They built it with pride, sacrifice, and determination so future Tigers would embrace the challenge, and take the program to even greater heights. They RACED!
Yorktown dropped out of the College Events Classic at Carmel this year because we were no longer competitive there. Saturday proved the same is true of the Homestead Invitational. We should not go back to Homestead until we belong there again. The other teams deserve better, and we are far from that right now.
It's only this writer's opinion, but the gap between what this once-proud program was, and what it has become, is an embarrassment.
Friday, December 11, 2009
TIGERS TO FACE TOP COMPETITION AT HOMESTEAD
The Yorktown Tigers will face their stiffest challenge so far this season tomorrow at the Homestead Invitational. The annual meet brings together some of the top teams and individuals from across Indiana, and 2009 is no exception. Just how good?
Chesterton High School is clearly the most talented program at Homestead this year. The Trojan boys are #1 in the most recent Indiana High School Swimming Coaches Association rankings, they are the two-time defending IHSAA state champions, and they have Michigan recruit Kyle Whitaker ready to tear it up. Whitaker is a world class swimmer who will put on a show Saturday--he's the top seed in the 200-yard IM, the 100-yard butterfly, and the 100-yard backstroke; Whitaker will also lead off the Trojans' top seeded 200-yard medley relay and anchor their 3rd seeded 400-yard freestyle relay.
Chesterton's Tyler Fozkos is also a stud--he's the top seed in both the 50-yard freestyle and the 500-yard freestyle, and the #3 seed in the 200-yard freestyle.
The Chesterton girls are also very impressive. The Trojan ladies are #3 in the IHSSCA rankings, and they have two of the state's top swimmers in Olivia Kabacinski and Brittany Fozkos. Kabacinski has the talent to dominate in any stroke at any distance. She's seeded #1 in three events on Saturday, the 100-yard, 200-yard, and 500-yard freestyles. Fozkos is the #2 seed in the 50-yard freestyle and 4th in the 100-yard backstroke.
The rest of the field at Homestead isn't exactly chopped liver. The girls field includes #16 Homestead, #23 Indianapolis North Central, #32 Yorktown, and #35 Northridge. On the boys side, you'll find #3 Northridge, #23 Yorktown, #26 Indianapolis North Central, and #29 Homestead.
Northridge freshman Brennen Berger is the top seed in the 100-yard breaststroke. Homestead's Tori Bagan, North Central's Amy Katz and Northridge's Annie Cohoat are among the other standout girls in the field.
Yorktown isn't without its own impressive entrants. Junior Adam Voss owns the top seed going into tomorrow's 200-yard freestyle, and Voss is the #2 seed (behind Whitaker) in the 100-yard butterfly. The Yorktown boys 400-yard freestyle relay team of junior Michael Heavilon, senior Cameron Watters, sophomore Austin Dunn, and Voss is the top seed. Sophomore Larah Beaver holds the top seeded position in the loaded girls 100-yard backstroke field, and the #3 seed in the 100-yard freestyle.
The top 8 seeds at Homestead automatically swim in the championship final of each event, and the Tigers have several more swimmers who will start Saturday in the Top 8. They include freshman Jessica Extine (7th seed in the 50-yard freestyle), Dunn (6th seed in the 100-yard freestyle), Heavilon and Watters (6th and 8th seeds, respectively, in the 500-yard freestyle), and Watters again in the 100-yard backstroke (3rd seed).
Saturday's meet will be held at Summit Middle School (across the road from Homestead High School). Yorktown is scheduled to warm up from 9:45-10:15 a.m., with the first events scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m.
GO TIGERS!
Chesterton High School is clearly the most talented program at Homestead this year. The Trojan boys are #1 in the most recent Indiana High School Swimming Coaches Association rankings, they are the two-time defending IHSAA state champions, and they have Michigan recruit Kyle Whitaker ready to tear it up. Whitaker is a world class swimmer who will put on a show Saturday--he's the top seed in the 200-yard IM, the 100-yard butterfly, and the 100-yard backstroke; Whitaker will also lead off the Trojans' top seeded 200-yard medley relay and anchor their 3rd seeded 400-yard freestyle relay.
Chesterton's Tyler Fozkos is also a stud--he's the top seed in both the 50-yard freestyle and the 500-yard freestyle, and the #3 seed in the 200-yard freestyle.
The Chesterton girls are also very impressive. The Trojan ladies are #3 in the IHSSCA rankings, and they have two of the state's top swimmers in Olivia Kabacinski and Brittany Fozkos. Kabacinski has the talent to dominate in any stroke at any distance. She's seeded #1 in three events on Saturday, the 100-yard, 200-yard, and 500-yard freestyles. Fozkos is the #2 seed in the 50-yard freestyle and 4th in the 100-yard backstroke.
The rest of the field at Homestead isn't exactly chopped liver. The girls field includes #16 Homestead, #23 Indianapolis North Central, #32 Yorktown, and #35 Northridge. On the boys side, you'll find #3 Northridge, #23 Yorktown, #26 Indianapolis North Central, and #29 Homestead.
Northridge freshman Brennen Berger is the top seed in the 100-yard breaststroke. Homestead's Tori Bagan, North Central's Amy Katz and Northridge's Annie Cohoat are among the other standout girls in the field.
Yorktown isn't without its own impressive entrants. Junior Adam Voss owns the top seed going into tomorrow's 200-yard freestyle, and Voss is the #2 seed (behind Whitaker) in the 100-yard butterfly. The Yorktown boys 400-yard freestyle relay team of junior Michael Heavilon, senior Cameron Watters, sophomore Austin Dunn, and Voss is the top seed. Sophomore Larah Beaver holds the top seeded position in the loaded girls 100-yard backstroke field, and the #3 seed in the 100-yard freestyle.
The top 8 seeds at Homestead automatically swim in the championship final of each event, and the Tigers have several more swimmers who will start Saturday in the Top 8. They include freshman Jessica Extine (7th seed in the 50-yard freestyle), Dunn (6th seed in the 100-yard freestyle), Heavilon and Watters (6th and 8th seeds, respectively, in the 500-yard freestyle), and Watters again in the 100-yard backstroke (3rd seed).
Saturday's meet will be held at Summit Middle School (across the road from Homestead High School). Yorktown is scheduled to warm up from 9:45-10:15 a.m., with the first events scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m.
GO TIGERS!
ANOTHER MEET, ANOTHER SQUEAKER
If your life lacks excitement or pizazz, just check out the next Yorktown High School boys swimming and diving meet. These guys know how to keep spectators on the edge of their seats!
Thursday night, head coach Brad Grieshop's boys built a 40-21 lead after the first four events, only to watch most of their lead evaporate before holding on for a 94-91 victory over the Anderson Indians. Last night's contest came down to the final event, the 400-yard freestyle relay. The Tigers had little margin for error--YHS entered just one team in the 400, meaning a 3rd place finish or disqualification would cost them the meet.
Fortunately, the team of senior Cameron Watters, junior Joseph Railey, junior Joe Eskew and sophomore Austin Dunn had just enough to get the job done. They avoided a DQ and swam a 3:56.55 to place 2nd, earning the four points needed to seal the team's win.
Six Yorktown boys picked up at least one blue ribbon, with junior Adam Voss, junior Michael Heavilon, and sophomore Austin Dunn claiming multiple victories. Voss rode a textbook finish to win the closest race of the night, edging Anderson's Matthew Gray in the 50-yard freestyle 23.59 to 23.67. Voss also captured the 500-yard freestyle (5:06.10) and led off the victorious 200-yard medley relay team (1:55.72). Heavilon led the field to the wall in the 100-yard backstroke (1:02.38), and took the 100-yard butterfly (59.18). Dunn won the 200-yard freestyle (1:54.62) and the 100-yard breaststroke (1:10.30).
Senior Harrison Slater and freshman Thommy Brown teamed with Voss and Dunn to take top honors in the medley relay, and senior Cameron Watters grabbed the blue ribbon in the 200-yard IM (2:14.73).
Several other YHS boys made valuable contributions. Senior Michael Stocker raced to a pair of significant placings, coming in 4th in the 50-yard freestyle to score two important points, and holding off Anderson's Jarred Gray by .43 for 4th in the 100-yard freestyle to snare a couple more points. And junior diver Tyler Donges jumped in the pool and finished 5th for a point in the 100-yard backstroke.
The Yorktown girls had a much more relaxing evening, swimming to an easy 142-41 victory over the Indians. Freshman Jessica Extine topped the Tigers with four 1st place finishes. Six other girls were multiple winners for the YHS, including sophomores Larah Beaver (3) and Kirsten Nickoli (3), freshman Caroline Grasso (3), senior Heather Elston (2), sophomore Sam Mahon (2) and freshman Kersea Gable (2).
Extine earned individual wins in the 100-yard butterfly (1:08.51) and 100-yard breaststroke (1:17.73); Beaver was 1st in the 200-yard IM (2:24.04) and 100-yard backstroke (1:01.85); Nickoli picked up blues in the 200-yard freestyle (2:22.25) and 500-yard freestyle (6:11.38); Grasso won the 50-yard freestyle (28.32) and 100-yard freestyle (1:02.87); and Mahon continued her dual meet win streak in the diving competition, finishing on top with a score of 184.55.
Elston and freshman Jillian Buche teamed with Extine and Gable in the victorious 200-yard medley relay (2:08.18), and sophomore Chelsea Watters joined Gable, Elston and Extine as winners in the 200-yard freestyle (1:54.94).
The Tigers will need a good night's sleep tonight--they head to the Ft. Wayne area on Saturday to compete in the Homestead Invitational, historically one of the toughest meets in Indiana each season. The YHS team website indicates a start time of 10:30 a.m., but the Homestead High School website lists the start time as 11:00 a.m.
GO TIGERS!
Thursday night, head coach Brad Grieshop's boys built a 40-21 lead after the first four events, only to watch most of their lead evaporate before holding on for a 94-91 victory over the Anderson Indians. Last night's contest came down to the final event, the 400-yard freestyle relay. The Tigers had little margin for error--YHS entered just one team in the 400, meaning a 3rd place finish or disqualification would cost them the meet.
Fortunately, the team of senior Cameron Watters, junior Joseph Railey, junior Joe Eskew and sophomore Austin Dunn had just enough to get the job done. They avoided a DQ and swam a 3:56.55 to place 2nd, earning the four points needed to seal the team's win.
Six Yorktown boys picked up at least one blue ribbon, with junior Adam Voss, junior Michael Heavilon, and sophomore Austin Dunn claiming multiple victories. Voss rode a textbook finish to win the closest race of the night, edging Anderson's Matthew Gray in the 50-yard freestyle 23.59 to 23.67. Voss also captured the 500-yard freestyle (5:06.10) and led off the victorious 200-yard medley relay team (1:55.72). Heavilon led the field to the wall in the 100-yard backstroke (1:02.38), and took the 100-yard butterfly (59.18). Dunn won the 200-yard freestyle (1:54.62) and the 100-yard breaststroke (1:10.30).
Senior Harrison Slater and freshman Thommy Brown teamed with Voss and Dunn to take top honors in the medley relay, and senior Cameron Watters grabbed the blue ribbon in the 200-yard IM (2:14.73).
Several other YHS boys made valuable contributions. Senior Michael Stocker raced to a pair of significant placings, coming in 4th in the 50-yard freestyle to score two important points, and holding off Anderson's Jarred Gray by .43 for 4th in the 100-yard freestyle to snare a couple more points. And junior diver Tyler Donges jumped in the pool and finished 5th for a point in the 100-yard backstroke.
The Yorktown girls had a much more relaxing evening, swimming to an easy 142-41 victory over the Indians. Freshman Jessica Extine topped the Tigers with four 1st place finishes. Six other girls were multiple winners for the YHS, including sophomores Larah Beaver (3) and Kirsten Nickoli (3), freshman Caroline Grasso (3), senior Heather Elston (2), sophomore Sam Mahon (2) and freshman Kersea Gable (2).
Extine earned individual wins in the 100-yard butterfly (1:08.51) and 100-yard breaststroke (1:17.73); Beaver was 1st in the 200-yard IM (2:24.04) and 100-yard backstroke (1:01.85); Nickoli picked up blues in the 200-yard freestyle (2:22.25) and 500-yard freestyle (6:11.38); Grasso won the 50-yard freestyle (28.32) and 100-yard freestyle (1:02.87); and Mahon continued her dual meet win streak in the diving competition, finishing on top with a score of 184.55.
Elston and freshman Jillian Buche teamed with Extine and Gable in the victorious 200-yard medley relay (2:08.18), and sophomore Chelsea Watters joined Gable, Elston and Extine as winners in the 200-yard freestyle (1:54.94).
The Tigers will need a good night's sleep tonight--they head to the Ft. Wayne area on Saturday to compete in the Homestead Invitational, historically one of the toughest meets in Indiana each season. The YHS team website indicates a start time of 10:30 a.m., but the Homestead High School website lists the start time as 11:00 a.m.
GO TIGERS!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
INDIANS VISIT TIGERS THURSDAY
The Yorktown Tigers will be back in the pool Thursday, hosting the Indians of Anderson High School. Yorktown is coming off exciting, final event boys and girls victories Tuesday night at Pendleton Heights. Anderson dropped boys and girls meets to crosstown rival Anderson Highland on Tuesday in what may have been the final meeting in their series (the Anderson School Board is set to vote next week on a plan to consolidate that city's two remaining high schools).
Thursday night's matchup comes during a week when several Tigers have missed practice time and meets with illnesses. Hopefully they'll all be feeling well enough to be in school tomorrow and compete against the Indians.
Thursday's meet is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Yorktown High School pool.
GO TIGERS!
Thursday night's matchup comes during a week when several Tigers have missed practice time and meets with illnesses. Hopefully they'll all be feeling well enough to be in school tomorrow and compete against the Indians.
Thursday's meet is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Yorktown High School pool.
GO TIGERS!
SMALL TOWN GIRL, BIG TIME TALENT
Fans who attended Tuesday night's meet at Pendleton Heights got a chance to see one of Indiana's best divers in action, and boy did she put on a show!
Kate Hillman of nearby Shenandoah High School performed several WOW dives in posting a score of 314.85. Pendleton Heights allows Hillman and her two SHS swimming teammates to compete at PHHS home meets (their scores are considered exhibition and don't apply to the dual meet results). And Hillman, a club diving national champion and an Indiana University recruit, didn't disappoint.
Hillman displayed power, grace, athleticism and polish as she completed six high degree of difficulty dives. She's currently #1 in the weekly rankings compiled by the Indiana High School Swimming Coaches Association, and Hillman is a major threat to capture an IHSAA state championship in February (she finished 4th at the 2009 State Meet).
If you get a chance to watch this young lady compete, GO. You'll be glad you did!
Kate Hillman of nearby Shenandoah High School performed several WOW dives in posting a score of 314.85. Pendleton Heights allows Hillman and her two SHS swimming teammates to compete at PHHS home meets (their scores are considered exhibition and don't apply to the dual meet results). And Hillman, a club diving national champion and an Indiana University recruit, didn't disappoint.
Hillman displayed power, grace, athleticism and polish as she completed six high degree of difficulty dives. She's currently #1 in the weekly rankings compiled by the Indiana High School Swimming Coaches Association, and Hillman is a major threat to capture an IHSAA state championship in February (she finished 4th at the 2009 State Meet).
If you get a chance to watch this young lady compete, GO. You'll be glad you did!
TIGERS CLAW THEIR WAY TO SWEEP OF ARABIANS
It's a good thing several Yorktown Swimming parents are physicians, because the "Cardiac Kid" Tigers are testing the hearts of their fans this season!
Last night, the Tiger girls went into the final event clinging to an 87-82 lead over Pendleton Heights; the boys were in even more jeopardy, deadlocked 85-85 with the host Arabians with one last swim to go.
The Lady Tigers called on the the team of freshman Jessica Extine, sophomore Kirsten Nickoli, sophomore Chelsea Watters and sophomore Larah Beaver to polish off the Arabians in the 400-yard freestyle relay. The quartet came through with a blue ribbon effort, winning in 4:09.08 to give Yorktown a 97-86 victory.
Head coach Brad Grieshop turned to his "Fab 4" again to seal the deal for the boys. The 400-yard freestyle relay team of Cameron Watters, Michael Heavilon, Adam Voss and Austin Dunn brought home the bacon, besting the field in 3:36.29. That win allowed the Tiger boys to dodge a bullet and emerge with a 93-91 victory.
Think PHHS head coach Jeff Maydak wishes he hadn't left two points unclaimed by entering only two boys instead of three in both the 100-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly?
The girls "Dynamic Duo" of Larah Beaver and Jessica Extine continued to lead the way for YHS, both claiming three victories in the meet. Beaver and Extine teamed with freshmen Kersea Gable and Caroline Grasso to take the 200-yard medley relay (1:59.95), and with Nickoli and Watters in the 400-yard freestyle relay; Beaver won the 100-yard backstroke (1:02.57), while Extine finished first in the 100-yard butterfly (1:05.57).
Diver Sam Mahon picked up Yorktown's other blue ribbon, keeping her 2009-10 dual meet winning streak alive with a total of 184.90 points.
The Tiger boys followed a now-familiar script to win the meet Tuesday night--a heavy dose of the "Fab 4" and key contributions down the lineup from other swimmers. Watters, Heavilon, Voss and Dunn were all multiple winners against the Arabians. Watters won the 500-yard freestyle (5:23.31) and the 100-yard backstroke (59.86), Heavilon was first to the wall in the 200-yard IM (2:12.03) and 100-yard butterfly (59.05), Voss was victorious in the 200-yard freestyle (1:57.50) and 100-yard breaststroke (1:08.68), and Dunn sped to blue ribbon finishes in the 50-yard freestyle (22.98) and 100-yard freestyle (50.33).
Depth played a critical role in last night's outcomes. Senior Kyle Bonneau, senior Harrison Slater, junior Tyler Donges, junior Joe Eskew, junior Joseph Railey, junior Zach Pitzer and freshman Thommy Brown also scored crucial points for the boys. Donges had an excellent night diving for a runner-up finish (186.65), and Brown showed lots of grit, fighting off a PHHS swimmer's late charge in the 200-yard IM to finish 4th (2:35.07) instead of 5th. That two-point swing alone would have sent the meet into a tie. Way to go, Thommy!
The YHS girls also got just enough scoring in the lower placings to win the meet. Nickoli, Mahon, Gable, Grasso, senior Heather Elston, senior Kara Martin, junior Rachel Reising, junior Megan Morency, sophomore Chappell Railey, sophomore Alexa Voss and freshman Jillian Buche put badly needed points on the board. Nickoli battled her way to a runner-up finish (6:01.24) in a tight 500-yard freestyle, and Voss had a nice diving performance (160.95) to finish 3rd, just 4.1 points behind the PHHS runner-up.
The Tigers will be back in action Thursday, hosting the Anderson Indians with a scheduled start time of 5:30 p.m.
GO TIGERS!
Last night, the Tiger girls went into the final event clinging to an 87-82 lead over Pendleton Heights; the boys were in even more jeopardy, deadlocked 85-85 with the host Arabians with one last swim to go.
The Lady Tigers called on the the team of freshman Jessica Extine, sophomore Kirsten Nickoli, sophomore Chelsea Watters and sophomore Larah Beaver to polish off the Arabians in the 400-yard freestyle relay. The quartet came through with a blue ribbon effort, winning in 4:09.08 to give Yorktown a 97-86 victory.
Head coach Brad Grieshop turned to his "Fab 4" again to seal the deal for the boys. The 400-yard freestyle relay team of Cameron Watters, Michael Heavilon, Adam Voss and Austin Dunn brought home the bacon, besting the field in 3:36.29. That win allowed the Tiger boys to dodge a bullet and emerge with a 93-91 victory.
Think PHHS head coach Jeff Maydak wishes he hadn't left two points unclaimed by entering only two boys instead of three in both the 100-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly?
The girls "Dynamic Duo" of Larah Beaver and Jessica Extine continued to lead the way for YHS, both claiming three victories in the meet. Beaver and Extine teamed with freshmen Kersea Gable and Caroline Grasso to take the 200-yard medley relay (1:59.95), and with Nickoli and Watters in the 400-yard freestyle relay; Beaver won the 100-yard backstroke (1:02.57), while Extine finished first in the 100-yard butterfly (1:05.57).
Diver Sam Mahon picked up Yorktown's other blue ribbon, keeping her 2009-10 dual meet winning streak alive with a total of 184.90 points.
The Tiger boys followed a now-familiar script to win the meet Tuesday night--a heavy dose of the "Fab 4" and key contributions down the lineup from other swimmers. Watters, Heavilon, Voss and Dunn were all multiple winners against the Arabians. Watters won the 500-yard freestyle (5:23.31) and the 100-yard backstroke (59.86), Heavilon was first to the wall in the 200-yard IM (2:12.03) and 100-yard butterfly (59.05), Voss was victorious in the 200-yard freestyle (1:57.50) and 100-yard breaststroke (1:08.68), and Dunn sped to blue ribbon finishes in the 50-yard freestyle (22.98) and 100-yard freestyle (50.33).
Depth played a critical role in last night's outcomes. Senior Kyle Bonneau, senior Harrison Slater, junior Tyler Donges, junior Joe Eskew, junior Joseph Railey, junior Zach Pitzer and freshman Thommy Brown also scored crucial points for the boys. Donges had an excellent night diving for a runner-up finish (186.65), and Brown showed lots of grit, fighting off a PHHS swimmer's late charge in the 200-yard IM to finish 4th (2:35.07) instead of 5th. That two-point swing alone would have sent the meet into a tie. Way to go, Thommy!
The YHS girls also got just enough scoring in the lower placings to win the meet. Nickoli, Mahon, Gable, Grasso, senior Heather Elston, senior Kara Martin, junior Rachel Reising, junior Megan Morency, sophomore Chappell Railey, sophomore Alexa Voss and freshman Jillian Buche put badly needed points on the board. Nickoli battled her way to a runner-up finish (6:01.24) in a tight 500-yard freestyle, and Voss had a nice diving performance (160.95) to finish 3rd, just 4.1 points behind the PHHS runner-up.
The Tigers will be back in action Thursday, hosting the Anderson Indians with a scheduled start time of 5:30 p.m.
GO TIGERS!
Monday, December 7, 2009
THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE
I'm going to break away from swimming briefly for something more important.
Today marks the 68th anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor. More than 2,000 American soldiers and sailors died, many more were wounded. I've had the honor of meeting and interviewing several Pearl Harbor survivors during my journalism career, and I just want to say a heartfelt, personal thank you to each and everyone of you.
The sacrifices made by you and your brothers in arms nearly 70 years ago are a debt a grateful nation can never fully repay. But I know I'm not alone in honoring your service, and believing that you are ALL heroes.
God bless you all!
Today marks the 68th anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor. More than 2,000 American soldiers and sailors died, many more were wounded. I've had the honor of meeting and interviewing several Pearl Harbor survivors during my journalism career, and I just want to say a heartfelt, personal thank you to each and everyone of you.
The sacrifices made by you and your brothers in arms nearly 70 years ago are a debt a grateful nation can never fully repay. But I know I'm not alone in honoring your service, and believing that you are ALL heroes.
God bless you all!
ARCH RIVALS TO MEET TUESDAY
One of the first things many people do at the start of a season is look at the schedule for those "rivalry" match-ups. And one of the dates Yorktown swimming fans circle on the calendar every year is up Tuesday--YORKTOWN AT PENDLETON HEIGHTS!
This is NOT just another dual meet--it's a grudge match. The two programs are Hoosier Heritage Conference foes, both programs produce outstanding talent year in and year out, and to top it all off, these two programs just don't like each other very much. Those are the ingredients in a recipe that is likely to produce another exciting night in Madison County.
On paper, this edition of the Tigers vs. the Arabians looks to be a very close meet. On the boys side, Yorktown carries the state's #23 ranking, the Arabians are ranked 21st. Yorktown's girls are ranked 32nd, while the Arabians are #45. Every place and point will matter, and both meets could be decided in the evening's final events.
Lineups are yet to be determined. But fans could be in for a treat in several events tomorrow night. The girls 50-yard freestyle could pit Autumn Brown of PHHS against Jessica Extine of YHS. Brown is Indiana's 12th ranked sprinter with a best time of 24.32; Extine's is unranked, but is coming off a breakout swim over the weekend at a club meet. Extine touched in a lifetime best 24.69 in Fishers on Saturday, which would be good enough for 20th in Indiana in this week's coaches poll. If this matchup materializes, watch out, but don't blink. It'll be over quickly.
Brown is also the #19 swimmer in the 100-yard freestyle with a 53.55. YHS's Larah Beaver is unranked but right on Brown's heels with a lifetime best of 54.09. They are also intense personal rivals who have had epic battles over the years. If these two end up in the 100 free, make sure you see it.
Girls diving shapes up as another nailbiter, with Arabian Hannah Cochran ranked 21st (202.75), and unranked Tiger Sam Mahon already at 192.70 this season. Mahon is undefeated in dual meet competitions so far in 2009-10.
All three of the girls relays could be coin flip specials based on the rankings and season-best times: 200 freestyle relay--PHHS 27th (1:51.41), YHS unranked (1:48.27). The Tiger girls would be ranked 19th in Indiana if their time was reported to the person who compiles the weekly poll. 400-freestyle relay--PHHS 21st (4:04.12), YHS unranked (4:02.77). That would be good enough for a 20th ranking. And in the 200-yard medley relay--PHHS 15th (2:00.14), YHS unranked (1:59.21), which would be #14 if reported.
The boys meet also has several compelling potential story lines. In the 100-yard butterfly, two of the state's very best could lock horns. PHHS' Luke Haynes is #6 (51.27), YHS' Adam Voss is 7th (51.29). And both could be pushed by Yorktown's rapidly improving Austin Dunn, who happens to be ranked 15th with a best time of 53.11.
The Arabians have all three relay teams in the state's rankings; Yorktown hasn't reported its best times. But the Tigers' 400-yard freestyle relay team's top effort this season (3:24.33) is more than 29 second faster than Pendleton Heights' best. If the meet comes down to this final event, look for the Tigers to emerge victorious.
Tuesday's meet begins at 5:15 p.m. at Pendleton Heights High School.
GO TIGERS!
This is NOT just another dual meet--it's a grudge match. The two programs are Hoosier Heritage Conference foes, both programs produce outstanding talent year in and year out, and to top it all off, these two programs just don't like each other very much. Those are the ingredients in a recipe that is likely to produce another exciting night in Madison County.
On paper, this edition of the Tigers vs. the Arabians looks to be a very close meet. On the boys side, Yorktown carries the state's #23 ranking, the Arabians are ranked 21st. Yorktown's girls are ranked 32nd, while the Arabians are #45. Every place and point will matter, and both meets could be decided in the evening's final events.
Lineups are yet to be determined. But fans could be in for a treat in several events tomorrow night. The girls 50-yard freestyle could pit Autumn Brown of PHHS against Jessica Extine of YHS. Brown is Indiana's 12th ranked sprinter with a best time of 24.32; Extine's is unranked, but is coming off a breakout swim over the weekend at a club meet. Extine touched in a lifetime best 24.69 in Fishers on Saturday, which would be good enough for 20th in Indiana in this week's coaches poll. If this matchup materializes, watch out, but don't blink. It'll be over quickly.
Brown is also the #19 swimmer in the 100-yard freestyle with a 53.55. YHS's Larah Beaver is unranked but right on Brown's heels with a lifetime best of 54.09. They are also intense personal rivals who have had epic battles over the years. If these two end up in the 100 free, make sure you see it.
Girls diving shapes up as another nailbiter, with Arabian Hannah Cochran ranked 21st (202.75), and unranked Tiger Sam Mahon already at 192.70 this season. Mahon is undefeated in dual meet competitions so far in 2009-10.
All three of the girls relays could be coin flip specials based on the rankings and season-best times: 200 freestyle relay--PHHS 27th (1:51.41), YHS unranked (1:48.27). The Tiger girls would be ranked 19th in Indiana if their time was reported to the person who compiles the weekly poll. 400-freestyle relay--PHHS 21st (4:04.12), YHS unranked (4:02.77). That would be good enough for a 20th ranking. And in the 200-yard medley relay--PHHS 15th (2:00.14), YHS unranked (1:59.21), which would be #14 if reported.
The boys meet also has several compelling potential story lines. In the 100-yard butterfly, two of the state's very best could lock horns. PHHS' Luke Haynes is #6 (51.27), YHS' Adam Voss is 7th (51.29). And both could be pushed by Yorktown's rapidly improving Austin Dunn, who happens to be ranked 15th with a best time of 53.11.
The Arabians have all three relay teams in the state's rankings; Yorktown hasn't reported its best times. But the Tigers' 400-yard freestyle relay team's top effort this season (3:24.33) is more than 29 second faster than Pendleton Heights' best. If the meet comes down to this final event, look for the Tigers to emerge victorious.
Tuesday's meet begins at 5:15 p.m. at Pendleton Heights High School.
GO TIGERS!
Friday, December 4, 2009
HISTORIC NIGHT FOR NEW PAL
The word "depth" comes into play twice in the sport of swimming--in the measurement of how much water lies below the surface, and how much talent is found beneath a team's top-level athletes. Last night's meet at New Palestine exposed Yorktown's lack of depth as its fatal flaw, as the Tiger girls lost 99-84 and the boys dropped a 99-87 decision to the Dragons. New Pal's victories were believed to be the school's first ever over Yorktown in swimming, according to several ecstatic Dragon swimmers and their parents.
Yorktown's girls won six events (half of the meet), including two each by their "Dynamic Duo"--freshman Jessica Extine and sophomore Larah Beaver. Extine captured the 50-yard freestyle (25.91) and the 100-yard butterfly (1:06.79), while Beaver topped the competition in the 100-yard freestyle (56.21) and 100-yard backstroke (1:01.31). Sophomore Sam Mahon took top honors again in diving (190.30), and the team of freshman Caitlyn Grasso, junior Chelsea Watters, freshman Kersea Gable, and junior Gabby LaVoie won the blue ribbon in the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:53.17).
But the Dragon girls used superior depth to win critical points with 2nd and 3rd place finishes all night long. That built a mountain the Tigers could never quite climb, although gritty YHS got to within three points on three different occasions--the first at 39-36 following a 1-2-3 diving sweep by Mahon, sophomore Alexa Voss and junior Mary Hazen, the final time at 78-75 with two events left. The Tigers were still within striking distance heading into the final event (a 1-2 finish in the 400-yard freestyle relay would have given Yorktown a one-point victory). But the best the quartet of Extine, sophomore Kirsten Nickoli, senior Heather Elston, and Beaver could muster was a runner-up finish, despite cuting seven-and-a-half second off the previous YHS season best to finish in 4:02.77.
The Yorktown boys suffered a similar fate, even with another spectacular night from their "Big 4." Junior Adam Voss, junior Michael Heavilon, senior Cameron Watters, and sophomore Austin Dunn were all multiple winners. Both Voss and Watters took four firsts; Heavilon brought home three wins and Dunn two. Watters was first in the 500-yard freestyle (5:17.34) and the 100-yard backstroke (59.20), while Voss bested the field in the 200-yard freestyle (1:51.84) and the 100-yard butterfly (54.21). Heavilon picked up the blue in the 200-yard IM (2:09.38), and Dunn teamed with the other three for victories in the 200-yard medley relay (1:46.17) and 400-yard freestyle relay (3:24.33). In fact, YHS won seven of the boys events compared to five for New Pal.
The Dragons followed their girls' lead by grabbing numerous 2nd's and 3rd's, a recipe for success under the dual meet scoring system (1st-6 points, 2nd-4 points, 3rd-3 points, 4th-2 points, and 5th-1 point in individual events; 1st-8 points, 2nd-4 points and 3rd-2 points in relays). A team can finish 1st and 5th in an individual event, yet be outscored 9-7 by a deep opponent capable of finishing 2-3-4. That was a familiar scenario last night.
Head Coach Brad Grieshop's squads are at a critical early season crossroads right now. EVERYONE from top to bottom has to go "all in" on the "buy in" and work harder to develop more scoring threats in the middle of the lineup. If they do, Yorktown can still stand behind its tradition of excellence and salvage the dual meet portion of its season. If they don't, this will be a season full of individual successes for a few, but a disappointing effort that tarnishes the reputation of a once mighty program.
It's up to you, kids--how much Tiger Pride do you REALLY have?
We'll begin answering that question next Tuesday night, when Yorktown returns to action in a Hoosier Heritage Conference showdown at arch-rival Pendleton Heights.
Yorktown's girls won six events (half of the meet), including two each by their "Dynamic Duo"--freshman Jessica Extine and sophomore Larah Beaver. Extine captured the 50-yard freestyle (25.91) and the 100-yard butterfly (1:06.79), while Beaver topped the competition in the 100-yard freestyle (56.21) and 100-yard backstroke (1:01.31). Sophomore Sam Mahon took top honors again in diving (190.30), and the team of freshman Caitlyn Grasso, junior Chelsea Watters, freshman Kersea Gable, and junior Gabby LaVoie won the blue ribbon in the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:53.17).
But the Dragon girls used superior depth to win critical points with 2nd and 3rd place finishes all night long. That built a mountain the Tigers could never quite climb, although gritty YHS got to within three points on three different occasions--the first at 39-36 following a 1-2-3 diving sweep by Mahon, sophomore Alexa Voss and junior Mary Hazen, the final time at 78-75 with two events left. The Tigers were still within striking distance heading into the final event (a 1-2 finish in the 400-yard freestyle relay would have given Yorktown a one-point victory). But the best the quartet of Extine, sophomore Kirsten Nickoli, senior Heather Elston, and Beaver could muster was a runner-up finish, despite cuting seven-and-a-half second off the previous YHS season best to finish in 4:02.77.
The Yorktown boys suffered a similar fate, even with another spectacular night from their "Big 4." Junior Adam Voss, junior Michael Heavilon, senior Cameron Watters, and sophomore Austin Dunn were all multiple winners. Both Voss and Watters took four firsts; Heavilon brought home three wins and Dunn two. Watters was first in the 500-yard freestyle (5:17.34) and the 100-yard backstroke (59.20), while Voss bested the field in the 200-yard freestyle (1:51.84) and the 100-yard butterfly (54.21). Heavilon picked up the blue in the 200-yard IM (2:09.38), and Dunn teamed with the other three for victories in the 200-yard medley relay (1:46.17) and 400-yard freestyle relay (3:24.33). In fact, YHS won seven of the boys events compared to five for New Pal.
The Dragons followed their girls' lead by grabbing numerous 2nd's and 3rd's, a recipe for success under the dual meet scoring system (1st-6 points, 2nd-4 points, 3rd-3 points, 4th-2 points, and 5th-1 point in individual events; 1st-8 points, 2nd-4 points and 3rd-2 points in relays). A team can finish 1st and 5th in an individual event, yet be outscored 9-7 by a deep opponent capable of finishing 2-3-4. That was a familiar scenario last night.
Head Coach Brad Grieshop's squads are at a critical early season crossroads right now. EVERYONE from top to bottom has to go "all in" on the "buy in" and work harder to develop more scoring threats in the middle of the lineup. If they do, Yorktown can still stand behind its tradition of excellence and salvage the dual meet portion of its season. If they don't, this will be a season full of individual successes for a few, but a disappointing effort that tarnishes the reputation of a once mighty program.
It's up to you, kids--how much Tiger Pride do you REALLY have?
We'll begin answering that question next Tuesday night, when Yorktown returns to action in a Hoosier Heritage Conference showdown at arch-rival Pendleton Heights.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
TIGERS LOOK TO SLAY DRAGONS
The Yorktown High School swimmers and divers make one of their longest road trips of the season tonight, venturing to New Palestine for a dual meet with the Dragons. The Tigers will be looking for their second consecutive Hoosier Heritage Conference victory following Tuesday's boys-girls sweep of Delta.
Tonight's meet begins at 5:15.
GO TIGERS!
Tonight's meet begins at 5:15.
GO TIGERS!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
DELTA AT YORKTOWN WINNERS
GIRLS
200 Medley Relay-Larah Beaver, Gabby LaVoie, Jessica Extine, Kersea Gable 2:03.30
200 IM-Larah Beaver 2:19.49
50 Free-Jessica Extine 26.58
Diving-Sam Mahon 190.25
100 Fly-Jessica Extine 1:07.49
100 Free-Heather Elston 1:03.49
200 Free Relay-Caroline Grasso, Gabby LaVoie, Jessica Extine, Larah Beaver 1:48.27
100 Back-Larah Beaver 1:03.50
BOYS
200 Medley Relay-Cameron Watters, Austin Dunn, Adam Voss, Michael Heavilon 1:48.31
200 Free-Michael Heavilon 1:59.20
200 IM-Adam Voss 2:07.65
50 Free-Austin Dunn 23.62
Diving-Tyler Donges 175.45
100 Fly-Adam Voss 54.50
100 Free-Austin Dunn 51.04
500 Free-Michael Heavilon 5:17.68
100 Back-Cameron Watters 1:00.51
400 Free Relay-Adam Voss, Cameron Watters, Michael Heavilon, Austin Dunn 3:29.43
200 Medley Relay-Larah Beaver, Gabby LaVoie, Jessica Extine, Kersea Gable 2:03.30
200 IM-Larah Beaver 2:19.49
50 Free-Jessica Extine 26.58
Diving-Sam Mahon 190.25
100 Fly-Jessica Extine 1:07.49
100 Free-Heather Elston 1:03.49
200 Free Relay-Caroline Grasso, Gabby LaVoie, Jessica Extine, Larah Beaver 1:48.27
100 Back-Larah Beaver 1:03.50
BOYS
200 Medley Relay-Cameron Watters, Austin Dunn, Adam Voss, Michael Heavilon 1:48.31
200 Free-Michael Heavilon 1:59.20
200 IM-Adam Voss 2:07.65
50 Free-Austin Dunn 23.62
Diving-Tyler Donges 175.45
100 Fly-Adam Voss 54.50
100 Free-Austin Dunn 51.04
500 Free-Michael Heavilon 5:17.68
100 Back-Cameron Watters 1:00.51
400 Free Relay-Adam Voss, Cameron Watters, Michael Heavilon, Austin Dunn 3:29.43
TIGERS SWEEP DELTA
The Yorktown High School boys knew the final race of the night would be a winner-take-all affair. The Eagle boys had spent the second half of the meet chipping away at the Tigers' lead, and had closed to within 85-83 with one event to go. Fourteen points were up for grabs in the 400-yard freestyle relay--YHS would win the meet by winning the relay, but go home losers with any other result. The pressure was on.
The Tiger quartet of junior Adam Voss, senior Cameron Watters, junior Michael Heavilon, and sophomore Austin Dunn rose to the challenge. Voss exploded off the block on his way to a great start in the leadoff leg, and each teammate built an even bigger lead, swimming a 3:29.43 to beat the runner-up Eagles by 26 seconds. The performance sealed the boys first dual meet victory of the season. The final score: Yorktown 93, Delta 89.
Voss, Heavilon and Dunn each picked up four first places against the Eagles, with Watters winning three times and Tyler Donges capturing the diving competition. Dunn roared from behind in the closing yards of the 50-yard freestyle and, in a finish reminiscent of Michael Phelps over Michael Cavic, outtouched Delta's Derrick Wright to win 23.62 to 23.70 (the starter thought Wright had beaten Dunn and said so after closely watching the finish). If Dunn hadn't fought for the victory, the meet ends in a 91-91 tie.
That's what makes the so-called "small" contributions all the more important. Joe Eskew added a 5th place finish in the 200-yard freestyle to earn what might seem like an insignificant point. Flip flop Eskew with Delta's 6th place swimmer in that event, and the Tigers lose the meet 92-90. Aaron Kalley's 5th in the 50-yard freestyle, Zach Pitzer's 3rd in diving, Brown's 4th in the 100-yard butterfly, Michael Stocker's 5th in the 100-yard freestyle and 5th in the 100-yard breaststroke, Eskew's 5th in the 500-yard freestyle, and Joe Railey's 5th in the 100-yard backstroke were all critical to the team's success.
The Yorktown girls had a little more breathing room in their portion of the meet, beating Delta 109-77. Sophomore Larah Beaver and freshman Jessica Extine each won four times--Beaver easily took the 100-yard backstroke and fought off a strong challenge by Delta's Emilee Kirby to win the 200-yard IM 2:19.49 to 2:20.14. That was a lifetime best for Beaver, who also competed on the 200-yard medley relay and the 200-yard freestyle relay.
Extine continued her impressive early season performances, going 26.58 to win the 50-yard freestyle, and topping the field in the 100-yard butterfly (1:07.49). Extine also picked up gold in both the 200 relays.
Junior Gabby LaVoie was the Tigers' other multiple winner, sharing the blue ribbons won by the 200 relays. Senior Heather Elston beat the field to the wall in the 100-yard freestyle, swimming a 1:03.49. Freshmen Kersea Gable and Caroline Grasso also added first place honors, Gable anchoring the medley relay and Grasso leading off the 200 free relay.
Speaking of the 200 free relay, last night's team of Grasso, LaVoie, Extine and Beaver finished in 1:48.27, the fastest time of the season by any YHS quartet by more than two seconds. They did that despite not being pushed in the race--they won by five-and-a-half seconds. Imagine what these girls might do in a close race a couple months from now!
The Tigers return to action Thursday night, travelling to New Palestine for their second-straight Hoosier Heritage Conference meet. The action begins at 5:15 p.m.
GO TIGERS!
The Tiger quartet of junior Adam Voss, senior Cameron Watters, junior Michael Heavilon, and sophomore Austin Dunn rose to the challenge. Voss exploded off the block on his way to a great start in the leadoff leg, and each teammate built an even bigger lead, swimming a 3:29.43 to beat the runner-up Eagles by 26 seconds. The performance sealed the boys first dual meet victory of the season. The final score: Yorktown 93, Delta 89.
Voss, Heavilon and Dunn each picked up four first places against the Eagles, with Watters winning three times and Tyler Donges capturing the diving competition. Dunn roared from behind in the closing yards of the 50-yard freestyle and, in a finish reminiscent of Michael Phelps over Michael Cavic, outtouched Delta's Derrick Wright to win 23.62 to 23.70 (the starter thought Wright had beaten Dunn and said so after closely watching the finish). If Dunn hadn't fought for the victory, the meet ends in a 91-91 tie.
That's what makes the so-called "small" contributions all the more important. Joe Eskew added a 5th place finish in the 200-yard freestyle to earn what might seem like an insignificant point. Flip flop Eskew with Delta's 6th place swimmer in that event, and the Tigers lose the meet 92-90. Aaron Kalley's 5th in the 50-yard freestyle, Zach Pitzer's 3rd in diving, Brown's 4th in the 100-yard butterfly, Michael Stocker's 5th in the 100-yard freestyle and 5th in the 100-yard breaststroke, Eskew's 5th in the 500-yard freestyle, and Joe Railey's 5th in the 100-yard backstroke were all critical to the team's success.
The Yorktown girls had a little more breathing room in their portion of the meet, beating Delta 109-77. Sophomore Larah Beaver and freshman Jessica Extine each won four times--Beaver easily took the 100-yard backstroke and fought off a strong challenge by Delta's Emilee Kirby to win the 200-yard IM 2:19.49 to 2:20.14. That was a lifetime best for Beaver, who also competed on the 200-yard medley relay and the 200-yard freestyle relay.
Extine continued her impressive early season performances, going 26.58 to win the 50-yard freestyle, and topping the field in the 100-yard butterfly (1:07.49). Extine also picked up gold in both the 200 relays.
Junior Gabby LaVoie was the Tigers' other multiple winner, sharing the blue ribbons won by the 200 relays. Senior Heather Elston beat the field to the wall in the 100-yard freestyle, swimming a 1:03.49. Freshmen Kersea Gable and Caroline Grasso also added first place honors, Gable anchoring the medley relay and Grasso leading off the 200 free relay.
Speaking of the 200 free relay, last night's team of Grasso, LaVoie, Extine and Beaver finished in 1:48.27, the fastest time of the season by any YHS quartet by more than two seconds. They did that despite not being pushed in the race--they won by five-and-a-half seconds. Imagine what these girls might do in a close race a couple months from now!
The Tigers return to action Thursday night, travelling to New Palestine for their second-straight Hoosier Heritage Conference meet. The action begins at 5:15 p.m.
GO TIGERS!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
TIGERS HOST EAGLES TO BEGIN JUGGERNAUT
Yorktown High School's swimmers hit the water at home tonight for the first time this season. Head Coach Brad Grieshop's girls will be looking for their second dual meet win of 2009-10, the boys their first against Hoosier Heritage Conference rival Delta.
The Tigers should be back to near-full strength now that the Thanksgiving holiday has ended. Several team members missed last Saturday's dual meet at Westfield due to holiday travel and/or illnesses. Their return will bolster Yorktown's much needed scoring depth against the Eagles.
The Delta meet also kicks off a very busy and demanding portion of the season, especially for the athletes who also compete for Yorktown Swim Club. The combined YHS-YSC schedule includes nine competition days in the first 17 days of December. YHS will compete twice this week, three times next week (including the ultra-competitive Homestead Invitational), and top it off by hosting highly ranked Noblesville on the 17th. Throw in YSC's appearance in the FAST meet this weekend, and we're gonna see some very tired swimmers very soon.
So make sure your swimmer or diver is eating right, hydrating often, getting as much sleep as possible, and we'll get them through this challenging stretch.
Tonight's meet begins at 5:15 in the Yorktown High School pool.
GO TIGERS!
The Tigers should be back to near-full strength now that the Thanksgiving holiday has ended. Several team members missed last Saturday's dual meet at Westfield due to holiday travel and/or illnesses. Their return will bolster Yorktown's much needed scoring depth against the Eagles.
The Delta meet also kicks off a very busy and demanding portion of the season, especially for the athletes who also compete for Yorktown Swim Club. The combined YHS-YSC schedule includes nine competition days in the first 17 days of December. YHS will compete twice this week, three times next week (including the ultra-competitive Homestead Invitational), and top it off by hosting highly ranked Noblesville on the 17th. Throw in YSC's appearance in the FAST meet this weekend, and we're gonna see some very tired swimmers very soon.
So make sure your swimmer or diver is eating right, hydrating often, getting as much sleep as possible, and we'll get them through this challenging stretch.
Tonight's meet begins at 5:15 in the Yorktown High School pool.
GO TIGERS!
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