Sunday, January 29, 2012

IMPORTANT CHANGE FOR STATE MEETS!

The IHSAA has FINALLY decided to join the modern world. For the first time this season, the IHSAA is selling RESERVED SEATS for the swimming and diving State Meets!

Reserved seats will be in the first four rows of the IU Natatorium; they'll cost $15 each; they're good for BOTH sessions--NO reserved single session seats. And you can only by them ONLINE.

Reserved seats for the GIRLS State Meet go on sale this Thursday, February 2nd.

For more information, log onto ihsaa.org.

GO TIGERS!

Saturday, January 28, 2012

THE BIG THREE'S BIG THREE

Nine schools will compete in the girls Fishers Sectional next week (Anderson, Elwood, Fishers, Hamilton Southeastern, Liberty Christian, Marion, Oak Hill, Pendleton Heights and Yorktown). But in all reality, it will be a three-team race to the championship again this season--defending champion Fishers, HSE, and Yorktown will all make strong runs at the trophy starting Thursday night.

For the sake of discussion, here are the "Top 3" performances from each of those three schools so far this season (diving has been omitted because some schools compete in 11-dive competitions, others in 6-dive, and that makes it impossible to do a meaningful comparison). The teams are listed in alphabetical order.

200 Medley Relay

Fishers--1:52.95
Hamilton Southeastern--1:53.82
YORKTOWN--1:52.44

200 Free

Fishers--Emily Moser 1:56.13, Lauren Schingel 1:59.32, Adrienne Debrosse 2:01.00
Hamilton Southeastern--Caroline Thomas 2:00.82, Gabrielle Mazero 2:01.48, Carly Scott 2:04.71
YORKTOWN--Lauren Elston 2:02.70, Caroline Grasso 2:06.13, Katelyn Grasso 2:12.17

200 IM

Fishers--Abbegayle Schneider 2:10.17, Audrey Scott 2:14.05, Heather Cunningham 2:15.72
Hamilton Southeastern--Gabrielle Mazero 2:18.59, Courtney Mudd 2:19.08, Megan Lo 2:22.70
YORKTOWN--Larah Beaver 2:12.66, Lauren Elston 2:18.90, Chelsea Watters 2:37.95

50 Free

Fishers--Chloe Susdorf 24.66, Emily Moser 25.28, Sarah Moser 25.59
Hamilton Southeastern--Caroline Thomas 24.62, Courtney Mudd 25.34, Gabrielle Mazero 25.65
YORKTOWN--Jessica Extine 25.14, Lauren Elston 27.00, Ashley Sexton 27.61

100 Fly

Fishers--Heather Cunningham 59.41, Audrey Scott 1:02.09, Adrienne Debrosse 1:04.58
Hamilton Southeastern--Caroline Thomas 1:01.52, Gabrielle Mazero 1:02.84, Courtney Mudd 1:03.22
YORKTOWN--Jessica Extine 1:01.25, Larah Beaver 1:01.76, Lauren Elston 1:01.94

100 Free

Fishers--Emily Moser 55.10, Chloe Susdorf 55.39, Sarah Moser 55.41
Hamilton Southeastern--Caroline Thomas 53.81, Gabrielle Mazero 55.91, Courtney Mudd 56.68
YORKTOWN--Larah Beaver 54.31, Caroline Grasso 56.32, Lauren Elston 59.96

500 Free

Fishers--Emily Moser 5:05.99, Abbegayle Schneider 5:13.62, Rebecca Carr 5:17.31
Hamilton Southeastern--Caroline Thomas 5:21.84, Kiera McCormack 5:35.32, Carly Scott 5:36.78
YORKTOWN--Bailey Windell 5:46.61, Kirsten Nickoli 5:54.86, Katelyn Grasso 5:58.12

200 Free Relay

Fishers--1:40.66
Hamilton Southeastern--1:41.21
YORKTOWN--1:40.73

100 Back

Fishers--Heather Cunningham 1:01.33, Audrey Scott 1:03.74, Emily Moser 1:05.48
Hamilton Southeastern--Courtney Mudd 1:01.29, Kaitlyn Smith 1:06.20, Lauren Kirkwood 1:08.83
YORKTOWN--Larah Beaver 58.12, Caroline Grasso 1:01.33, Katie Keller 1:05.87

100 Breast

Fishers--Abbegayle Schneider 1:07.81, Chloe Susdorf 1:11.90, Rebecca Carr 1:15.20
Hamilton Southeastern--Erica Willey 1:11.40, Gabrielle Mazero 1:11.80, Caroline Thomas 1:12.89
YORKTOWN--Jessica Extine 1:10.66, Kersea Gable 1:18.16, Chelsea Watters 1:20.78

400 Free Relay

Fishers--3:40.45
Hamilton Southeasern--3:40.25
YORKTOWN--3:48.90

Time to get loud and proud for the green and white Thursday night.

GO TIGERS!

Friday, January 27, 2012

THE PACK TIGHTENS!

I recently posted a list of the best efforts--in each event--from the teams that comprise the girls' Fishers Sectional field. Well, some of those times have dropped this week as the tournament beckons six days away.

Keep in mind that the list only includes each school's TOP performer. More on that later.

Here's an updated list on the girls' side of the ledger (defending sectional champions are in italics):

200 Medley Relay (IHSAA State 1:51.03)

1. YORKTOWN 1:52.44
2. Fishers 1:52.95
3. Hamilton Southeastern 1:53.82
4. Oak Hill 2:07.43
5. Pendleton Heights 2:13.38
6. Anderson 2:17.75

200 Free (IHSAA State Cut 1:54.79)

1. Emily Moser, Fishers 1:56.13
2. Caroline Thomas, Hamilton Southeastern 2:00.82
3. LAUREN ELSTON, YORKTOWN 2:02.70
4. Micalah Booher, Pendleton Heights 2:05.97
5. Samantha Mauk, Oak Hill 2:07.95
6. Jessica Simmons, Anderson 2:25.98
7. Sarah Bournique, Marion 2:42.87

200 IM (IHSAA State Cut 2:09.82)

1. Abbegayle Schneider, Fishers 2:10.17
2. LARAH BEAVER, YORKTOWN 2:12.66
3. Gabrielle Mazero, Hamilton Southeastern 2:18.59
4. Madison Kordes, Pendleton Heights 2:25.55
5. Samantha Mauk, Oak Hill 2:26.35
6. Tori Brown, Anderson 2:43.53
7. Kayla Endsley, Marion 3:12.17

50 Free (IHSAA State Cut 24.35)

1. Caroline Thomas, Hamilton Southeastern 24.62
2. Chloe Susdorf, Fishers 24.66
3. JESSICA EXTINE, YORKTOWN 25.14
4. Melissa Ford, Oak Hill 25.42
5. Sasha Artis, Marion 27.28
6. Katey Stout, Pendleton Heights 27.79
7. Anna Gustin, Anderson 29.46

1-Meter Diving (No IHSAA Standard)

1. Shelby Bartlett, Fishers 484.54
2. Hannah Cochran, Pendleton Heights 463.40
3. Jaya Brown, Hamilton Southeastern 425.50
4. Kendra Holcom, Oak Hill 292.20
5. SAM MAHON, YORKTOWN 199.20

100 Fly (IHSAA State Cut 58.20)

1. Heather Cunningham, Fishers 59.41
2. JESSICA EXTINE, YORKTOWN 1:01.25
3. Caroline Thomas, Hamilton Southeastern 1:01.52
4. Melissa Ford, Oak Hill 1:06.46
5. Mason Mills, Pendleton Heights 1:13.46
6. Anna Gustin, Anderson 1:22.50
7. Sarah Bournique, Marion 1:29.00

100 Free (IHSAA State Cut 52.99)

1. Caroline Thomas, Hamilton Southeastern 53.81
2. LARAH BEAVER, YORKTOWN 54.31
3. Emily Moser, Fishers 55.10
4. Melissa Ford, Oak Hill 57.04
5. Sasha Artis, Marion 1:00.87
6. Breana Oaldon, Pendleton Heights 1:02.78
7. Esther Mishler, Anderson 1:07.27

500 Free (IHSAA State Cut 5:09.94)

1. Emily Moser, Fishers 5:05.99
2. Caroline Thomas, Hamilton Southeastern 5:21.84
3. Micalah Booher, Pendleton Heights 5:36.76
4. BAILEY WINDELL, YORKTOWN 5:46.61
5. Hailee Scheffer, Oak Hill 6:17.48
6. Jessica Simmons, Anderson 6:30.21
7. Aletheia Burritt, Marion 7:21.55

200 Free Relay (IHSAA State Cut 1:40.09)

1. Fishers 1:40.66
2. YORKTOWN 1:40.73
3. Hamilton Southeastern 1:41.21
4. Oak Hill 1:45.88
5. Pendleton Heights 1:51.43
6. Marion 2:03.04
7. Anderson 2:11.45

100 Back (IHSAA State Cut 58.81)

1. LARAH BEAVER, YORKTOWN 58.12
2. Courtney Mudd, Hamilton Southeastern 1:01.29
3. Heather Cunningham, Fishers 1:01.33
4. Morgan Tinkel, Oak Hill 1:09.41
5. Samantha Diedrich, Marion 1:14.82
6. Esther Mishler, Anderson 1:15.72

100 Breast (IHSAA State Cut 1:07.19)

1. Abbegayle Schneider, Fishers 1:07.81
2. JESSICA EXTINE, YORKTOWN 1:10.66
3. Erica Willey, Hamilton Southeastern 1:11.40
4. Hannah Brown, Oak Hill 1:18.96
5. Tori Brown, Anderson 1:19.40
6. Jessica Luckey, Marion 2:26.55

400 Free Relay (IHSAA State Cut 3:39.64)

1. Hamilton Southeastern 3:40.25
2. Fishers 3:40.45
3. YORKTOWN 3:48.90
4. Oak Hill 4:01.98
5. Anderson 4:23.80
6. Marion 5:06.68

As you can see, a real donnybrook is shaping up in the two short relays. Last year, Fishers, Yorktown and Hamilton Southeastern finished 1-2-3 in the 200 Medley Relay, ALL under the state cut. The Lady Tigers tied the YHS record of 1:49.91 that day, and all four girls on that squad are back this season. The addition of freshman stud Lauren Elston, along with Caroline Grasso, Jessica Extine and Larah Beaver, gives Yorktown a legitimate shot at a sectional championship in this event. I predicted before the season began that if these girls all stayed healthy, they would shatter the school record. I STILL believe that'll happen, and it's likely to take a time under 1:48.00 to stand atop the medal stand. Look for at least one 1:47 to show up on the scoreboard a week from tomorrow!

You can expect the same three schools to duke it out in the 200 Free Relay as well. They went 1-2-3 (in the same order) in 2011, all again well below the state cut, and the Tigers in red needed a 1:39.23 to edge the Tigers in green (1:39.82). The quartet of Grasso, Elston, Extine and Beaver are ready to break out a big can--their best combined lifetime 50 Free splits leave them with a projected, cumulative time of 1:37.27. That time would have been fast enough for 3rd place--at the 2011 STATE MEET. They are in position to make a serious run at the YHS record of 1:36.36 established by Kelsi Hall, Jenna Long, Maggie Bird and Jill Lockhart in at the 2006 State Meet. For the record, the splits six years ago were Hall 24.08, Long 24.30, Bird 23.74, and Lockhart 24.24. Let's hope the 2012 Tigers turn on the jets and set the water on fire in Fishers on February 4th!

A couple of Yorktown girls have made late surges on this list individually, thanks to outstanding performances against Muncie Central on Senior Night. Lauren Elston's 2:02.70 in the 200 Free has her making some noise there. And fellow stud Jessica Extine has leaped to 1:10.66 in the 100 Breast (she's starting to look like her big brother in that event)!

Of course, there are three MAJOR factors that will determine just how this sectional plays out. The most important is the lineup--coaches had until 4:00 p.m. yesterday to submit their sectional lineups. The psych sheet will make for some very interesting reading. The IHSAA only allows each athlete to compete in a maximum of four events; either two relays and two individual events, or three relays and one individual event.

The other two factors are far less certain--one, how each swimmer responds to the nebulus tapering process; and two, how each athlete responds to the additional pressure of competing in a meet of this magnitude. Freshmen and non-club athletes who haven't swum at a high level before will have to deal with a LOT more stress next week.

This is a great time, though--the Championship Season is all about the best of the best, laying it ALL on the line. This is the strongest Yorktown girls team since the 2006 Tigers were the state runners-up. These girls have the physical talent, toughness and tenacity to drop a lot of jaws in the next two weeks. They are literally FOUR MORE GREAT SWIMS away from doing some very special things!

GO TIGERS!

Thursday, January 26, 2012

TIGERS ROAR IN CENTRAL SWEEP!

The swimming and diving rivalry between Muncie Central and Yorktown may be the most intense in this part of the state. Year in and year out, the Bearcats and Tigers put on a late January show for the fans to write home about. Throw in the emotion of Senior Night, and you have the recipe for one UNFORGETTABLE evening.

The 20th ranked Yorktown girls and the undefeated Lady Bearcats duked it out from the opening stroke, and were still tied heading into the 500 Free. That's when senior Kirsten Nickoli and freshman Katelyn Grasso threw down a 1-2 finish (5:56.01 and 5:59.35, respectively) to open a narrow gap the girls clung to heading to the evening's final event.

The mission for the Tigers? Win the 400 Free Relay and win the MEET.

The squad of seniors Larah Beaver and Ashley Sexton, freshman Lauren Elston, and junior Jessica Extine responded to the challenge like true champions. They led from start to finish, and won going away in 3:52.41.

Extine captured four blue ribbons to lead the way Tuesday night, winning the 50 Free (25.35) and 100 Breast (a season best 1:10.66), while helping win a pair of relays. Jess joined junior Caroline Grasso, Elston and Beaver in a 1st place finish in the 200 Free Relay (a season best 1:40.73, also in the state's Top 20), and with Beaver, Elston and Sexton to best the field in victory-clinching swim.

Beaver outraced Central stud Emmy Rawson in the 200 IM (also a season best 2:12.66) to end her YHS home career as a triple event winner. The Ball State recruit heads into her final IHSAA tournament run with nearly 140 career event wins! Elston also closed the home portion of her outstanding freshman season as a three-time winner, taking top honors in the 200 Free in 2:02.70. That's the easily the fastest time in that event for YHS this season, and a nearly four-second drop for her!

Add Caroline Grasso the triple winner list for Senior Night. She swam a season best 56.32 to reach the wall ahead of the pack in the 100 Free. She did the same last year--Central must be tired of looking at the bottom of her feet. ;)

Caroline was also the class of the field in the 100 Back (1:03.79).

Senior Sam Mahon accounted for the other girls' Yorktown blue ribbon against the Bearcats, scoring 199.20 points to win in the diving well.

This is the second year-in-a-row that the girls portion of this meet has come down to the outcome of the final event, and the second year-in-a-row that the Lady Tigers have handed Central their first--and only--dual meet loss of the season. GREAT JOB, GIRLS!

Now, for those Getting Mightier Men of Yorktown.

The guys have had their share of battles and tribulation this year. This team is far less talented than the several that preceded it. People in Yorktown got spoiled by the Voss-Heavilon-Hoffman triumvirate. But these Tigers sure do work hard, and the fruits of their labor were finally harvested against Central. Hard earned and well deserved win, fellas!


Sophomore Scott Heavilon and freshman Isiah Huisman joined Club Quatro, each picking up four blue ribbons on Senior Night. Heavilon brought home 1st place swims in the 200 Free (1:56.37) and 500 Free (a season best 5:04.97). Huisman contributed blue ribbon performances in the 200 IM (2:11.06) and the 100 Back (1:00.40). Both of those time are his best of the season (there's a theme developing here, folks). Those two Tigers shared the victory with senior Alec Durant and junior Thommy Brown in the 200 Medley Relay (a season best 1:49.51) and with sophomore Kyle Rees and freshman Luke Ledbetter in the 200 Free Relay (also a season best 1:37.03).


Brown's win in the 100 Fly (59.52) would give him an individual hat trick for the night, OLE! It's also the YHS boys gold standard for the season. Rees made it a double-win night for himself, helping Yorktown to the win in the 400 Free Relay (3:45.60), along with fellow sophomore James Kemp, Ledbetter and Brown.

The Yorktown girls now shift gears into Championship Season mode. Can you say Shave and Taper? They'll open the Fishers Sectional with preliminary races a week from tonight (February 2nd). The Yorktown boys have one more dual meet on their schedule at Hamilton Heights on January 31st before they shave off that bleach blonde hair and hit the tournament trail.

As Flounder said in Animal House, "This is gonna be GREAT!"

GO TIGERS!
----------
Final Team Scores
Girls--Yorktown 96, Muncie Central 90
Boys--Yorktown 115, Muncie Central 70


Girls 200 Medley Relay--1. Muncie Central 'A' (Emmy Rawson, Kaitlyn Kerrigan, Sydney Clasby, Anne Tinder) 1:55.98. Also, 2. Yorktown 'A' (Caroline Grasso, Kersea Gable, Larah Beaver, Ashley Sexton) 1:58.21).

Boys 200 Medley Relay--1. Yorktown 'A' (Isiah Huisman, Alec Durant, Thommy Brown, Scott Heavilon) 1:49.51.

Girls 200 Free--1. Lauren Elston (Y) 2:02.70.

Boys 200 Free--1. Scott Heavilon (Y) 1:56.37.

Girls 200 IM--1. Larah Beaver (Y) 2:12.66.

Boys 200 IM--1. Isiah Huisman (Y) 2:11.06.

Girls 50 Free--1. Jessica Extine (Y) 25.35.

Boys 50 Free--1. Andrew Dowdle (MC) 23.83.

Girls 1-Meter Diving--1. Sam Mahon (Y) 199.20.

Boys 1-Meter Diving--1. Zane Parker (MC) 284.45.

Girls 100 Fly--1. Emmy Rawson (MC) 59.39.

Boys 100 Fly--1. Thommy Brown (Y) 59.52.

Girls 100 Free-- 1. Caroline Grasso (Y) 56.32.

Boys 100 Free--1. Andrew Dowdle (MC) 51.98.

Girls 500 Free--1. Kirsten Nickoli (Y) 5:56.01. Also, 2. Katelyn Grasso (Y) 5:59.35.

Boys 500 Free--1. Scott Heavilon (Y) 5:04.97.

Girls 200 Free Relay--1. Yorktown 'A' (Larah Beaver, Caroline Grasso, Lauren Elston, Jessica Extine) 1:40.73.

Boys 200 Free Relay--1. Yorktown 'A' (Isiah Huisman, Kyle Rees, Luke Ledbetter, Scott Heavilon) 1:37.03.

Girls 100 Back--1. Caroline Grasso (Y) 1:03.79.

Boys 100 Back--1. Isiah Huisman (Y) 1:00.40.

Girls 100 Breast--1. Jessica Extine (Y) 1:10.66.

Boys 100 Breast--1. Cameron Ottinger (MC) 1:07.84.

Girls 400 Free Relay--1. Yorktown 'A' (Larah Beaver, Ashley Sexton, Lauren Elston, Jessica Extine) 3:52.41.

Boys 400 Free Relay--1. Yorktown 'A' (Luke Ledbetter, James Kemp, Kyle Rees, Thommy Brown) 3:45.60.

THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN

Congratulations to the Yorktown boys--they swam GREAT against Muncie Central on Tuesday night in what is easily their best performance of the season. They aren't quite back to the level of the Voss-Heavilon-Hoffman Mighty Men of Yorktown, but they're getting CLOSER!

Look for a meet recap later today, and the rest of the video clips later today, too.

GO TIGERS!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

THE BEGINNING OF THE END

When I started this blog, and the accompanying Facebook page devoted to coverage of Yorktown swimming, it was with two goals in mind:

1. To provide timely, accurate and PROFESSIONAL coverage to a team and sport that were starving for it, both internally and externally.

2. To give friends, relatives and fans who DON'T live here anymore the chance to follow the team, regardless of where they are. That's what makes the video clips especially valuable--knowing that grandparents on the other side of the country can watch their grandchildren's performances online whenever they want warms my heart. Jessica Extine's grandparents come to mind--they are GREAT people! It has been my pleasure to capture so many priceless moments and memories for them and the rest of you. And yes, for those of you who think I'm the world's biggest asshole (and I'm not), I DO have a heart, you're just too blind to see it. And I really don't care whether you see it, anyway.

I can honestly say I have accomplished both of my original goals, and I am proud of that work. I hold my head high, knowing that I was both TRUTHFUL and ACCURATE. I never called a bad swimmer good just to make Little Johnny or Janey feel better; I never criticized anyone when they didn't have it coming; but most important of all, I ALWAYS gave credit where it was earned and due. On balance, there's a helluva lot MORE "positive" stuff on both sites than "negative." You can take issue with my tone if you want, but the truth is a parachute, and I'm landing softly. I TOLD THE TRUTH, regardless of where it led.

When I began my journalism career 31 years ago, the greatest mentor I ever had told me, "You can't do this job without pissing someone off." He was absolutely right about that, and his words have rung true every day since then.

Some of the people who read this blog, or look at the Yorktown Swimming Facebook page, or both, only want the candy coated, idyllic, pollyanna version of events to be covered. You want me to ignore the other side of the coin. Nothing bad or incorrect ever happens at Yorktown, we're PERFECT out here in Mt. Pleasant Township, right?

WRONG. From time to time, people in positions of authority fail in their duties--either unintentionally (an accident or mistake), or intentionally. When it happens, pointing it out isn't a personal attack, or negative, or disrespectful--it's called ACCOUNTABILITY. It's a critically important component of any successful person or organization, but unfortunately, accountability is becoming much more difficult to find. In Yorktown, in the United States, in the WORLD.

I had the balls to say it before, and I'll say it again. The original lineup for the Muncie Central meet was a disservice to the seniors and their teammates (even the pollyannaish ones who refuse to publicly acknowledge it), and a recipe for failure. That means LOSING. I was only one of SEVERAL people who shared that point of view and immediately protested. To my knowledge, I'm the only one who also had the courage to point it out publicly. If that makes me a target for derision, so be it. I got used to being the Lone Ranger around here a long time ago.

But I don't regret it. Had I and those others not immediately protested the original decision Monday night, the first lineup for Tuesday would have stood unchanged, and Yorktown would have LOST last night's meet on the girls' side. Thank God the "new and improved" version of the lineup gave YHS just enough firepower to win. And ya, winning still DOES matter. And ya, it's MORE important than a lot of the stuff some people around here have decided to put in front of it. You'd better turn this ship around before it gets to close to the falls.

With that said, you ladies in green and black did an INCREDIBLE job on Senior Night, from top to bottom. Every place mattered, every point counted. You fought like your lives depended on it. You swam your ASSES off! I'm proud of each one of you, even the ones who don't like me. Job well done, Tigers!

But I digress--back to the headline at the top of this blog. With the end of this season quickly approaching, both the Yorktown Swimming Facebook page, and this blog, will be disappearing after the girls State Meet. That's 17 days from now, but who's counting, right? Between now and then, I'll continue to write stories with meet results (more sectional previews coming soon), analysis pieces, and provide video clips. This is gonna be a GREAT Championship Season!

I also want to publicly thank the only three people I know who have ever told me they actually read this blog, or get anything out of it--Gary Hoffman, Jennifer Hoffman, and Kevin Extine. Thanks for your interest in Yorktown swimming, for your support, and for letting me borrow your eyes from time to time. It has been a pleasure serving you, and knowing you.

Now it's time for me to get back to bigger and better things. Look for updated analysis soon of approaching sectionals, boys and girls. The Fishers and Hamilton Southeastern sectionals are among the toughest in Indiana. We in the Yorktown swimming family have a LOT to do over the next 17 days, and it'll be a WILD ride!

Until then, GO TIGERS!

Monday, January 23, 2012

GIRLS SECTIONAL RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER

We're at the point in the season when coaches, athletes and fans begin looking forward to the IHSAA tournament--the Lady Tigers will hit the water for the Fishers Sectional prelims just 10 DAYS from now.

I have taken the information available from several sources (some coaches STILL don't report their results) to compile a ranking of the best efforts in the Fishers Sectional field so far this season. The list only includes the top performance in each event for each school--it does NOT include the 2nd best, 3rd, etc. from the teams. That's why you'll only see one entrant per event.

Here's how the top echelon swimmers and divers look less than two weeks out.

200 Medley Relay (IHSAA State Cut 1:51.03)

1. YORKTOWN 1:52.44
2. Fishers 1:52.95
3. Hamilton Southeastern 1:53.82
4. Oak Hill 2:07.43
5. Pendleton Heights 2:13.38
6. Anderson 2:17.75

200 Free (IHSAA State Cut 1:54.79)

1. Emily Moser, Fishers 1:56.13
2. Caroline Thomas, Hamilton Southeastern 2:00.82
3. Micalah Booher, Pendleton Heights 2:05.97
4. Caroline Grasso, Yorktown 2:06.13
5. Samantha Mauk, Oak Hill 2:07.95
6. Jessica Simmons, Anderson 2:25.98
7. Sarah Bournique, Marion 2:42.87

200 IM (IHSAA State Cut 2:09.82)

1. Abbegayle Schneider, Fishers 2:10.17
2. Larah Beaver, Yorktown 2:17.70
3. Gabrielle Mazero, Hamilton Southeastern 2:18.59
4. Madison Kordes, Pendleton Heights 2:25.55
5. Samantha Mauk, Oak Hill 2:26.35
6. Tori Brown, Anderson 2:43.53
7. Kayla Endsley, Marion 3:12.17

50 Free (IHSAA State Cut 24.35)

1. Caroline Thomas, Hamilton Southeastern 24.62
2. Chloe Susdorf, Fishers 24.94
3. Jessica Extine, Yorktown 25.14
4. Melissa Ford, Oak Hill 25.42
5. Sasha Artis, Marion 27.28
6. Katey Stout, Pendleton Heights 27.79
7. Anna Gustin, Anderson 29.46

1-Meter Diving (No IHSAA standard)

1. Shelby Bartlett, Fishers 484.54
2. Hannah Cochran, Pendleton Heights 463.40
3. Jaya Brown, Hamilton Southeastern 425.50
4. Kendra Holcom, Oak Hill 292.20
5. Sam Mahon, Yorktown 194.95

100 Fly (IHSAA State Cut 58.20)

1. Heather Cunningham, Fishers 59.41
2. Jessica Extine, Yorktown 1:01.25
3. Caroline Thomas, Hamilton Southeastern 1:01.52
4. Melissa Ford, Oak Hill 1:06.46
5. Mason Mills, Pendleton Heights 1:13.46
6. Anna Gustin, Anderson 1:22.50
7. Sarah Bournique, Marion 1:29.00

100 Free (IHSAA State Cut 52.99)

1. Caroline Thomas, Hamilton Southeastern 53.81
2. Larah Beaver, Yorktown 54.31
3. Emily Moser, Fishers 55.10
4. Melissa Ford, Oak Hill 57.04
5. Sasha Artis, Marion 1:00.87
6. Breana Oaldon, Pendleton Heights 1:02.78
7. Esther Mishler, Anderson 1:07.27

500 Free (IHSAA State Cut 5:09.94)

1. Emily Moser, Fishers 5:05.99
2. Caroline Thomas, Hamilton Southeastern 5:21.84
3. Micalah Booher, Pendleton Heights 5:36.76
4. Bailey Windell, Yorktown 5:46.61
5. Hailee Scheffer, Oak Hill 6:17.48
6. Jessica Simmons, Anderson 6:30.21
7. Aletheia Burritt, Marion 7:21.55

200 Free Relay (IHSAA State Cut 1:40.09)

1. Fishers 1:40.66
2. Hamilton Southeastern 1:41.21
3. YORKTOWN 1:43.36
4. Oak Hill 1:45.88
5. Pendleton Heights 1:51.43
6. Marion 2:03.04
7. Anderson 2:11.45

100 Back (IHSAA State Cut 58.81)

1. Larah Beaver, Yorktown 58.12
2. Courtney Mudd, Hamilton Southeastern 1:01.29
3. Heather Cunningham, Fishers 1:03.64
4. Morgan Tinkel, Oak Hill 1:09.41
5. Samantha Diedrich, Marion 1:14.82
6. Esther Mishler, Anderson 1:15.72

100 Breast (IHSAA State Cut 1:07.19)

1. Abbeayle Scnheider, Fishers 1:07.81
2. Gabrielle Mazero, Hamilton Southeastern 1:12.99
3. Jessica Extine, Yorktown 1:15.86
4. Hannah Brown, Oak Hill 1:18.96
5. Tori Brown, Anderson 1:19.40
6. Jessica Luckey, Marion 2:26.55

400 Free Relay (IHSAA State Cut 3:39.64)

1. Hamilton Southeastern 3:40.25
2. Fishers 3:40.45
3. YORKTOWN 3:48.90
4. Oak Hill 4:01.98
5. Anderson 4:23.80
6. Marion 5:06.68

Fishers is the defending champion--they beat crosstown rival Hamilton Southeastern by 100 points to capture the 2011 title, with Yorktown a distant third. The FHS Tigers lost some firepower to graduation, but are still the most talented (and deepest) team in the field. They should be a heavy favorite to repeat, BUT.....

Strange things can happen at a sectional. It's a pressure packed, high adrenaline environment. Swimmers DQ, some RELAY TEAMS DQ. If Fishers were to DQ a relay, that could open the door for HSE or even Yorktown to make a run at the team championship.

Most critical, though, will be the lineup choices made by the coaches. The evening of February 2nd (prelims) and the afternoon of February 4th (finals) will tell the tale.

And in case you're wondering, Yorktown has NEVER won a swimming sectional--YET.

GO TIGERS!

HOOSIER HERITAGE CONFERENCE RESULTS

Here are the complete scoring results from the 2011-12 Hoosier Heritage Conference Meet, courtesy Steve Maxwell.

Scoring system--1st 20, 2nd 17, 3rd 16, 4th 15, 5th 14, 6th 13, 7th 12, 8th 11, 9th 9, 10th 7, 11th 6, 12th 5, 13th 4, 14th 3, 15th 2, 16th 1; relays worth double points.

Girls 200 Medley Relay>--1. YORKTOWN (Caroline Grasso, Jessica Extine, Lauren Elston, Larah Beaver) 1:52.44 (NEW HHC RECORD, old record 1:54.08 by Yorktown's Kiley Tolbert, Katie Simmons, Katie Mitsch and Jenna Long in 2004), 2. Mt. Vernon (Jessica Hantz, Ellen Werner, Maddie Powell, Jessica Blackburn) 2:02.21, 3. Greenfield-Central (Carly Fernandes, Taylor Cermak, Taylor Johnson, Bethany Weldon) 2:02.27, 4. New Palestine (Megan Prosser, Erin Trimpe, Addison Virt, Olivia Ayer) 2:03.94, 5. Pendleton Heights (Rebekah Monnier, Ivy Wysong, Mason Mills, Kordia Miller) 2:13.38, 6. Delta (Aubrianna Adney, Victoria Brown, Tamara Modglin, Tori Havens) 2:15.15, 7. Shelbyville (Alina Drahozhylova, Ema Dunkleberger, Ashley Nolley, Maddy Clark) 2:23.68.

Boys 200 Medley Relay--1. Greenfield-Central (Bailey Willoughby, Jon McCormick, Josh Cummins, Austin Wilburn) 1:44.23, 2. Mt. Vernon (David Hantz, Kenny Gilpin, Ian Hanssen, Reid Eberhard) 1:48.16, 3. Pendleton Heights (Austin Walker, Austin Parrish, Steven McCormack, Andrzej Kedziora) 1:48.43, 4. Delta (Josh Minch, Sam Zimmerman, Garland Ivy, Jack Hart) 1:48.52, 5. YORKTOWN (Isiah Huisman, Scott Heavilon, Thommy Brown, Luke Ledbetter) 1:49.87, 6. Shelbyville (Bobby Drake, Alec Booth, Garritt Kuntz, Cole Johnson) 1:52.59, 7. New Palestine (Luke Steigerwalt, Jake Uppfalt, Kelley Murphy, Christian Dodd) 1:54.91, 8. Rushville (Stone Worth, Barry Denton-Nichlas, Dalton Miller, Clay Tressler) 2:19.03.

Girls 200 Free--1. Emily Trimpe (NP) 2:00.74, 2. Micalah Booher (PH) 2:05.97, 3. Caroline Grasso (Y) 2:06.13, 4. Jordan Rogers (NP) 2:08.51, 5. Eve Gonzales (MV) 2:11.02, 6. Erin Trimpe ((NP) 2:11.49, 7. Katelyn Grasso (Y) 2:12.17, 8. Jillyan Jackson (PH) 2:13.60, 9. Jessica Hantz (MV) 2:15.11, 10. Kirsten Nickoli (Y) 2:15.57, 11. Maddy Clark (S) 2:16.61, 12. Shannon Ellery (D) 2:19.45, 13. Taylor Young (GC) 2:19.94, 14. Makenzie Nolley (S) 2:20.27, 15. Tori Grinstead (PH) 2:20.47, 16. Emily Ditto (GC) 2:21.52.

Boys 200 Free--1. James Young (GC) 1:50.47, 2. Cody Wilburn (GC) 1:53.07, 3. Scott Heavilon (Y) 1:54.17, 4. Drew Logan (MV) 1:56.33, 5. Zach Martin (S) 1:56.61, 6. Klay Simmons (NP) 1:59.39, 7. Erik Kile (GC) 1:59.66, 8. Logan Williams (S) 2:00.41, 9. Alex Nickoli (Y) 2:00.49, 10. Benjamin Fitzwater (D) 2:02.56, 11. Joshua Bostic (R) 2:03.97, 12. Cody Hunt (PH) 2:05.03, 13. Jake McCarty (MV) 2:05.30, 14. Lee Killey (S) 2:06.09, 15. Brandon Lindman (MV) 2:07.12, 16. Kyle Rees (Y) 2:09.47.

Girls 200 IM--1. Lauren Elston (Y) 2:18.90, 2. Carly Fernandes (GC) 2:19.89, 3. Sarah Fleming (S) 2:24.32, 4. Madison Kordes (PH) 2:25.55, 5. Katey Stout (PH) 2:31.46, 6. Olivia Shannon (MV) 2:31.73, 7. Ellen Werner (MV) 2:32.12, 8. Katie Mustard (NP) 2:32.22, 9. Hannah George (D) 2:33.02, 10. Claire Hornsby (NP) 2:35.61, 11. Megan Prosser (NP) 2:36.70, 12. Kylie Smith (GC) 2:37.49, 13. Chelsea Watters (Y) 2:37.95, 14. Breanna Oaldon (PH) 2:39.44, 15. Hannah Reynolds (GC) 2:41.76, 16. Kersea Gable (Y) 2:42.62.

Boys 200 IM--1. Jon McCormick (GC) 2:05.63, 2. Bailey Willoughby (GC) 2:09.26, 3. Sam Baker (N) 2:12.83, 4. Isiah Huisman (Y) 2:13.07, 5. Thommy Brown (Y) 2:17.64, 6. Josh Minch (D) 2:23.25, 7. Jake Uppfalt (NP) 2:24.47, 8. Michael Bauchert (MV) 2:24.47, 9. Sam Riggs (S) 2:24.94, 10. Kody Garcia (GC) 2:26.82, 11. Bobby Drake (S) 2:27.41, 12. James Kemp (Y) 2:27.96, 13. Cole Case (MV) 2:28.02, 14. Daniel Drake (S) 2:28.84, 15. Kenny Gilpin (MV) 2:31.44, 16. Kelley Murphy (NP) 2:31.76.

Girls 50 Free--1. Jessica Extine (Y) 25.14, 2. Taylor Johnson (GC) 26.28, 3. Jessica Blackburn (MV) 27.26, 4. Ashley Sexton (Y) 27.61, 5. Olivia Ayer (NP) 27.69, 6. Alyvia Morgan (D) 27.74, 7. Katey Stout (PH) 27.79, 8. Monica Neeb (NP) 28.20, 9. Kaelie Hauck (S) 28.23, 10. Karen Emminger (NP) 28.31, 11. tie, Macey Taylor (Y) and Kordia Miller (PH) 28.80, 13. Maggie Thompson (D) 28.87, 14. Allie Schafer (MV) 29.11, 15. Bethany Weldon (GC) 29.66, 16. Haley Reifel (MV) 29.69

Boys 50 Free--1. Jake Greig (NP) 22.62, 2. Patrick Stutz (GC) 22.63, 3. Austin Wilburn (GC) 22.90, 4. Grant Gish (NP) 23.30, 5. Garland Ivy (D) 23.52, 6. Andrzej Kedziora (PH) 23.66, 7. Jack Hart (D) 23.99, 8. Tyler Parrish (PH) 24.27, 9. Stephen Dickerson (GC) 24.78, 10. Reid Eberhard (MV) 24.81, 11. Garrett Catt (MV) 24.94, 12. Luke Ledbetter (Y) 24.98, 13. Alec Booth (S) 25.18, 14. Robert Bussen (MV) 25.50, 15. Kyle Rees (Y) 25.51, 16. Christian Dodd (NP) 25.70. Also, 18. Jordan Fox (Y) 26.37.

Girls 1-Meter Diving--1. Hannah Cochran (NP) 463.40, 2. Lauren Reifel (MV) 449.80, 3. Sarah Barker (MV) 388.55, 4. Taylor Fiew (PH) 356.00, 5. Jeneal Hunt (GC) 304.35, 6. Kenna Gibson (D) 302.75, 7. Ellie Smith (Y) 282.45, 8. Sam Mahon (Y) 278.35, 9. Regan Laker (R) 251.70, 10. Kylee Lloyd (PH) 248.45, 11. Brooke Smith (S) 241.85, 12. Tori Havens (D) 221.60, 13. Kylee Hickmott (R) 196.75, 14. Jennifer Swan (Y) 189.75, 15. Kiera Helm (D) 168.45.

Boys 1-Meter Diving--1. David Cochran (MV) 471.40, 2. Nathan Graber (GC) 416.80, 3. Landon Carpenter (D) 333.10, 4. Ben Bryan (S) 309.65, 5. Zach Nagel (NP) 272.45, 6. Brandon Young (Y) 269.80, 7. Zach Ball (MV) 245.25, 8. Austin Gaunt (GC) 238.55, 9. Morgan Strode (PH) 225.85, 10. Kyle Munger (S) 189.90. Also, Quinn Hurley (Y) DQ.

Girls 100 Fly--1. Jessica Extine (Y) 1:01.25, 2. Lauren Elston (Y) 1:01.94, 3. Taylor Johnson (GC) 1:02.77, 4. Maddie Powell (MV) 1:06.46, 5. Claire Hornsby (NP) 1:09.58, 6. Addison Virt (NP) 1:10.02, 7. Tamara Modglin (D) 1:10.66, 8. Kaelie Hauck (S) 1:11.00, 9. Lily Horn (NP) 1:11.01, 10. Aimee Arkenau (MV) 1:11.56, 11. Mason Mills (PH) 1:13.46, 12. Bailey Windell (Y) 1:16.77, 13. Erin Kile (GC) 1:17.43, 14. Rebekah Monnier (PH) 1:21.32, 15. Ivy Wysong (PH) 1:23.09, 16. Kaylin Gibson (D) 1:27.72.

Boys 100 Fly--1. James Young (GC) 56.42, 2. Josh Cummins (GC) 57.12, 3. Garland Ivy (D) 58.38, 4. Sam Baker (NP) 58.70, 5. Thommy Brown (Y) 1:00.26, 6. Isiah Huisman (Y) 1:00.51, 7. Klay Simmons (NP) 1:00.91, 8. Luke Steigerwalt (NP) 1:01.14, 9. Austin Walker (PH) 1:02.73, 10. Spencer Young (GC) 1:02.74, 11. Steven McCormack (PH) 1:03.90, 12. Ian Hanssen (MV) 1:04.30, 13. Garritt Kuntz (S) 1:04.99, 14. Ya Postnov (S) 1:06.03, 15. Daniel Williams (MV) 1:06.50, 16. Robert Bussen (MV) 1:07.56. Also, 18. Kyle Miller (Y) 1:12.31.

Girls 100 Free--1. Larah Beaver (Y) 54.84, 2. Jordan Rogers (NP) 58.88, 3. Jessica Blackburn (MV) 59.94, 4. Katie Mustard (NP) 1:00.90, 5. Ashley Sexton (Y) 1:01.26, 6. Karen Emminger (NP) 1:01.54, 7. Katie Keller (Y) 1:01.84, 8. Shannon Ellery (D) 1:02.62, 9. Breanna Oaldon (PH) 1:02.78, 10. Kordia Miller (PH) 1:02.90, 11. Kylie Smith (GC) 1:03.54, 12. Taylor Cermak (GC) 1:04.00, 13. Lita Hughes (MV) 1:04.73, 14. Maggie Thompson (D) 1:04.95, 15. Allie Schafer (MV) 1:05.07, 16. Ashley Nolley (S) 1:05.52.

Boys 100 Free--1. Jake Greig (NP) 49.44, 2. Patrick Stutz (GC) 50.27, 3. Grant Gish (NP) 50.88, 4. Austin Wilburn (GC) 51.47, 5. Cody Wilburn (GC) 51.54, 6. Jack Hart (D) 53.15, 7. Tyler Parrish (PH) 54.31, 8. Logan Williams (S) 54.55, 9. Benjamin Fitzwater (D) 54.92, 10. Luke Ledbetter (Y) 55.70, 11. Reid Eberhard (MV) 56.05, 12. Alec Durant (Y) 56.21, 13. Brandon Lindman (MV) 56.57, 14. Kyle Smith (S) 56.64, 15. James Kemp (Y) 57.42, 16. Garrett Catt (MV) 57.99.

Girls 500 Free--1. Carly Fernandes (GC) 5:35.82, 2. Micalah Booher (PH) 5:36.76, 3. Bailey Windell (Y) 5:46.61, 4. Erin Trimpe (NP) 5:49.24, 5. Eve Gonzales (MV) 5:52.74, 6. Hannah George (D) 5:54.78, 7. Jillyan Jackson (PH) 5:55.61, 8. Katelyn Grasso (Y) 5:58.12, 9. Kirsten Nickoli (Y) 5:58.79, 10. Makenzie Nolley (S) 6:05.67, 11. Maddy Clark (S) 6:06.55, 12. Taylor Young (GC) 6:07.21, 13. Alexis Weldon (GC) 6:15.06, 14. Tori Grinstead (PH) 6:19.58, 15. Lily Horn (NP) 6:25.53, 16. Tamara Modglin (D) 6:28.70.

Boys 500 Free--1. Austin Parrish (PH) 5:04.22, 2. Scott Heavilon (Y) 5:05.86, 3. Zach Martin (S) 5:09.88, 4. Erik Kile (GC) 5:16.67, 5. David Hantz (MV) 5:17.32, 6. Drew Logan (MV) 5:20.00, 7. Alex Nickoli (Y) 5:22.47, 8. Spencer Young (GC) 5:25.16, 9. Austin Shelton (GC) 5:38.05, 10. Lee Killey (S) 5:39.45, 11. Tyler Brand (PH) 5:40.57, 12. Jake McCarty (MV) 5:41.36, 13. Nathan Reed (S) 5:42.37, 14. Cody Hunt (PH) 5:46.29, 15. Sam Zimmerman (D) 5:54.08, 16. Kyle Miller (Y) 5:54.85.

Girls 200 Free Relay--1. New Palestine (Emily Trimpe, Jordan Rogers, Karen Emminger, Olivia Ayer) 1:46.97, 2. YORKTOWN (Ashley Sexton, Katelyn Grasso, Katie Keller, Kersea Gable) 1:50.83, 3. Greenfield-Central (Taylor Johnson, Carly Fernandes, Bethany Weldon, Kylie Smith) 1:51.09, 4. Pendleton Heights (Katey Stout, Breanna Oaldon, Madison Kordes, Micalah Booher) 1:51.43, 5. Shelbyville (Kaelie Hauck, Makenzie Nolley, Ashley Nolley, Sarah Fleming) 1:54.07, 6. Mt. Vernon (Olivia Shannon, Allie Schafer, Eve Gonzales, Jessica Blackburn) 1:54.91, 7. Delta (Maggie Thompson, Victoria Brown, Shannon Ellery, Hannah George) 1:55.19.

Boys 200 Free Relay--1. Greenfield-Central (Patrick Stutz, Austin Wilburn, James Young, Cody Wilburn) 1:30.71, 2. New Palestine (Jake Greig, Grant Gish, Klay Simmons, Sam Baker) 1:32.17, 3. Shelbyville (Logan Williams, Alec Booth, Cole Johnson, Zach Martin) 1:38.74, 4. Mt. Vernon (Garrett Catt, Michael Bauchert, Reid Eberhard, Drew Logan) 1:39.33, 5. Delta (Garland Ivy, Sam Zimmerman, Logan Rayl, Benjamin Fitzwater) 1:40.94, 6. Pendleton Heights (Tyler Parrish, Caleb Griffard, Cody Hunt, Steven McCormack) 1:43.44, 7. YORKTOWN (Jordan Fox, James Kemp, Alex Nickoli, Kyle Rees) 1:43.49, 8. Rushville (Joshua Bostic, Clay Tressler, Ryan Edwards, Zachery Dorrel) 1:47.76.

Girls 100 Back--1. Larah Beaver (Y) 58.39, 2. Caroline Grasso (Y) 1:02.00, 3. Sarah Fleming (S) 1:04.12, 4. Katie Keller (Y) 1:05.87, 5. Maddie Powell (MV) 1:06.96, 6. Jessica Hantz (MV) 1:10.36, 7. Emily Ditto (GC) 1:10.71, 8. Megan Prosser (NP) 1:11.05, 9. Taylor Hayes (MV) 1:11.48, 10. Mason Mills (PH) 1:12.27, 11. Rebekah Monnier (PH) 1:13.44, 12. Hannah Reynolds (GC) 1:13.65, 13. Kayla Jameson (NP) 1:14.68, 14. Erin Kile (GC) 1:16.69, 15. Emily Bare (NP) 1:18.01, 16. Candace Torres (D) 1:20.00.

Boys 100 Back--1. David Hantz (MV) 56.51, 2. Andrzej Kedziora (PH) 59.02, 3. Bailey Willoughby (GC) 59.34, 4. Josh Cummins (GC) 59.37, 5. Luke Steigerwalt (NP) 1:02.10, 6. Colin Harrison (MV) 1:03.12, 7. Josh Minch (D) 1:03.78, 8. Cole Case (MV) 1:03.99, 9. Austin Walker (PH) 1:04.44, 10. Brock Rees (Y) 1:05.78, 11. Steven McCormack (PH) 1:05.93, 12. Bobby Drake (S) 1:06.74, 13. Kody Garca (GC) 1:10.02, 14. Ya Postnov (S) 1:10.47, 15. Nathan Reed (S) 1:11.17, 16. Seth Fuller (Y) 1:11.45. Also, 21. Blake Taylor (Y) 1:20.09.

Girls 100 Breast--1. Emily Trimpe (NP) 1:10.46, 2. Ellen Werner (MV) 1:15.09, 3. Madison Kordes (PH) 1:17.00, 4. Addison Virt (NP) 1:17.87, 5. Kersea Gable (Y) 1:18.16, 6. Olivia Shannon (MV) 1:20.99, 7. Victoria Brown (D) 1:21.81, 8. Chelsea Watters (Y) 1:22.41, 9. Taylor Cermak (GC) 1:22.68, 10. Ivy Wysong (PH) 1:23.64, 11. Natalie Berea (NP) 1:24.31, 12. Claire Griffin (GC) 1:25.74, 13. Sarah Zornes (MV) 1:26.86, 14. Ashley Nolley (S) 1:27.53, 15. Jamie Moynihan (D) 1:27.73, 16. Ema Dunkleberger (S) 1:31.66. Also, 17. Katy Brown (Y) 1:31.79.

Boys 100 Breast--1. Jon McCormick (GC) 1:04.52, 2. Austin Parrish (PH) 1:04.87, 3. Kenny Gilpin (MV) 1:05.20, 4. Alec Booth (S) 1:06.60, 5. Cole Johnson (S) 1:06.86, 6. Stephen Dickerson (GC) 1:07.23, 7. Alec Durant (Y) 1:10.34, 8. Sam Zimmerman (D) 1:11.11, 9. Jake Uppfalt (NP) 1:11.91, 10. Wesley Virt (N) 1:13.67, 11. Christian Dodd (NP) 1:13.84, 12. Michael Bauchert (MV) 1:14.80, 13. Luke Jones (GC) 1:15.10, 14. Caleb Griffard (PH) 1:16.94, 15. Daniel Williams (MV) 1:17.26, 16. Jordan Fox (Y) 1:18.15. Also, 19. Bobby Cheng (Y) 1:22.47.

Girls 400 Free Relay--1. YORKTOWN (Jessica Extine, Caroline Grasso, Lauren Elston, Larah Beaver) 3:50.79, 2. New Palestine (Jordan Rogers, Katie Mustard, Karen Emminger, Emily Trimpe) 3:58.65, 3. Pendleton Heights (Katey Stout, Breanna Oaldon, Madison Kordes, Micalah Booher) 4:02.70, 4. Mt. Vernon (Maddie Powell, Olivia Shannon, Eve Gonzales, Jessica Hantz) 4:03.57, 5. Shelbyville (Kaelie Hauck, Makenzie Nolley, Maddy Clark, Sarah Fleming) 4:13.44, 6. Delta (Maggie Thompson, Tamara Modglin, Shannon Ellery, Hannah George) 4:17.50, 7. Greenfield-Central (Emily Ditto, Kylie Smith, Taylor Cermak, Taylor Young) 4:23.39, 8. Rushville (Abby Clark, Heather Snow, Rachel Sayman, Michaela Colestock) 5:48.57.

Boys 400 Free Relay--1. Greenfield-Central (James Young, Cody Wilburn, Patrick Stutz, Jon McCormick) 3:20.68, 2. New Palestine (Jake Greig, Grant Gish, Sam Baker, Klay Simmons) 3:24.49, 3. YORKTOWN (Isiah Huisman, Thommy Brown, Luke Ledbetter, Scott Heavilon) 3:34.98, 4. Pendleton Heights (Tyler Parrish, Austin Walker, Austin Parrish, Andrzej Kedziora) 3:37.23, 5. Shelbyville (Logan Williams, Sam Riggs, Garritt Kuntz, Zach Martin) 3:40.56, 6. Mt. Vernon (Garrett Catt, Michael Bauchert, Drew Logan, David Hantz) 3:40.66, 7. Delta (Josh Minch, Joel Keller, Jack Hart, Benjamin Fitzwater) 3:44.08, 8. Rushville (Joshua Bostic, Ryan Edwards, Dalton Miller, Zachery Dorrel) 4:09.64.

FINAL TEAM STANDINGS--GIRLS

1. YORKTOWN 441.5, 2. New Palestine 364, 3. Mt. Vernon 319, 4. Pendleton Heights 306.5, 5. Greenfield-Central 244, 6. Delta 183, 7. Shelbyville 165, 8. Rushville 35.

FINAL TEAM STANDINGS--BOYS

1. Greenfield-Central 480, 2. tie, Mt. Vernon and New Palestine 294, 4. YORKTOWN 256, 5. Shelbyville 245, 6. Pendleton Heights 234, 7. Delta 207, 8. Rushville 72.

Monday, January 16, 2012

YORKTOWN GIRLS REPEAT AS CHAMPIONS!

Don't poke the tiger--or in this case, the TIGERS! That's the lesson the other seven teams in the Hoosier Heritage Conference learned on Saturday, as the 20th ranked Yorktown girls roared to their second consecutive league championship.

The Tigers used a mix of frontline studs and an ever-improving supporting cast to tally a whopping 441.5 points to easily outdistance runner-up New Palestine.

Senior Larah Beaver joined elite company, winning the 100 Free (54.84) and 100 Back (58.39) for the 4TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR. A quick review of the YHS swimming archives indicates only one other Tiger has accomplished that feat--Kelsi Hall made it a career sweep of the 50 Free and 100 Free from 2005-08. Beaver finishes the conference portion of her YHS career with 14 HHC titles!

Junior Jessica Extine is also well on her way to induction in Club Awesome. Extine made it two-straight victories in the 50 Free (25.14) and 100 Fly (1:01.25), giving her 10 career HHC bests with another year to go.

The other individual HHC title this year goes to freshman phenom Lauren Elston, who tamed the field Saturday in the 200 IM (2:19.90) for the first individual HHC blue ribbon of her career.

Two of Yorktown's relays also stood atop the awards podium on Saturday, one in record breaking fashion. Junior Caroline Grasso led off the victorious 200 Medley Relay and handed off to Extine, Elston and Beaver to shatter the old HHC record with a season-best 1:52.44. That took down the standard of 1:54.08 set by Yorktown's Kiley Tolbert, Katie Simmons, Katie Mitsch and Jenna Long in 2004.

The same four girls also claimed the gold in the 400 Free Relay (3:50.79). But here's hoping the coaching staff puts their talents to better use in the upcoming Sectional and State Meet. Beaver, Elston, Extine and Grasso already have a projected time that is just off the school record (1:36.36) in the 200 FREE RELAY. That's where they can score the most points and make the deepest tournament run. PLEASE, coaches, send those girls to the Nat in the SPRINTS where they belong!

Several other Lady Tigers made strong contributions on Saturday. Caroline Grasso, Ashley Sexton, Katie Keller and Lauren Elston each added Top 5 finishes. The breakout swim of the day belonged to freshman Bailey Windell, who cut about 11 seconds off her previous best in the 500 Free to place 3rd from Heat 2 (5:46.61)!

More on the BOYS side of the meet later. But for now...

GO TIGERS!

Sunday, January 8, 2012

HARD WORK DOES PAY OFF

The toughest two weeks of the season have come to an end--HIT weeks--and that's a good time to take a look at just what swimmers can accomplish when they work their tails off.

A change to the 2011-12 Yorktown Community Schools calendar forced our athletes to do something this season that they don't normally do--compete in a dual meet during Christmas break, at the height of the physical demands placed on them.

Well, all the Yorktown Tigers did on Thursday night in New Castle is demonstrate how quickly athletes can improve when they are pushed beyond their old limits. The YHS boys and girls swam a whopping 27 season-best times against the Trojans! Many of the time drops were substantial--in the 500 Free, senior Kirsten Nickoli's 5:54.86 established a new season-best time for the team, and it was more than seven seconds FASTER than her previous season-best against Noblesville just a couple weeks ago!

Freshman Bailey Windell also got into the act in that event, lowering the boom with a 5:57.76, a lifetime best effort, and more than six seconds faster than her previous standard so far in 2011-12.

The guys were not to be outdone. Junior Thommy Brown posted a pair of personal season-best times at New Castle, lowering his standards in both the 100 Breast (1:14.08) and 100 Fly (1:00.28). Several other boys followed his lead, as you'll see below.

Here's a complete list of the Tigers who swam at least one individual season-best time on Thursday night.

Kirsten Nickoli--200 Free (2:16.29) and 500 Free (5:54.86)

Jessica Extine--100 Breast (1:14.38)

Katy Brown--50 Free (30.72) and 100 Back (1:27.17)

Laura Eaton--200 Free (2:35.60)

Lauren Elston--200 IM (2:21.17)

Katelyn Grasso--200 Free (2:14.32)

Bailey Windell--500 Free (5:57.76) and 100 Breast (1:27.92)

Alec Durant--200 IM (2:23.25)

Jordan Fox--100 Free (59.59)

Thommy Brown--100 Breast (1:14.08) and 100 Fly (1:00.28)

Bobby Cheng--100 Free (1:10.97)

Scott Heavilon--100 Fly (1:02.96)

James Kemp--500 Free (5:57.11) and 200 IM (2:34.16)

Daniel Morency--100 Free (1:10.87)

Brock Rees--50 Free (28.22) and 100 Back (1:08.96)

Kyle Rees--200 Free (2:11.27) and 100 Fly (1:15.02)

Isiah Huisman--200 Free (1:56.68)

Kyle Miller--500 Free (6:05.04)

Alex Nickoli--200 IM (2:26.40)

Blake Taylor--100 Back (1:26.37)

Congratulations to ALL of you for harvesting the fruits of your labor, but DON'T be satisfied. Even BETTER things lie ahead if you keep doing what coaches Laura Slight, Matt Routh, Frank Mattingly, Ashley Jones and Tyler Donges are teaching you to do.

Technique+toughness+tenacity=TITLES!

GO TIGERS!

Saturday, January 7, 2012

GIRLS RACE TO VICTORY, BOYS FALL SHORT

Racing tired is a measuring stick for courage and desire. And the Yorktown Tigers proved they have a lot of both Thursday night in New Castle.

The #21 YHS girls rode some impressive, HIT weeks performances to knock off the Trojans 105-81, while the boys won far fewer events, but used depth and determination to keep it close in a 102-84 loss to NC.

The Yorktown girls won nine events Thursday night, showcasing superior top-level talent. The quartet of Larah Beaver, Jessica Extine, Caroline Grasso and Lauren Elston captured both the 200 Medley Relay (1:57.38) and the 400 Free Relay (3:54.87). Beaver and Extine were also double winners in their individual swims, with Beaver tops in the 200 IM (2:19.03) and 100 Free (55.75), and Extine the pacesetter in the 50 Free (26.02) and 100 Breast (1:14.38).

Caroline Grasso brought home another blue ribbon in the 100 Back (1:02.85), and Elston added to her freshman year bag full of blue ribbons in the 100 Fly (1:03.44).

But the most impressive win of the night may have been Kirsten Nickoli's performance in the 500 Free. Nickoli looked strong and smooth from the start, swam to a large lead, and held off the pack to finish in 1st place in a season best 5:54.86! That's nearly ten seconds faster than her previous season best in the event, and it's the best she has looked since her 5:49.16 at the 2011 Sectional. Way to go, Kirsten!

Not to be lost in the shuffle is freshman Bailey Windell's inspired finish in the 500 Free. She raced stroke-for-stroke with New Castle's Caitlin Becraft over the final 25 yards, and outtouched Becraft for 2nd place in a lifetime best of 5:57.76! It's the first time Bailey has ever broken the six-minute barrier, and she did it swimming dog tired at the height of training. Watch out after a good taper later in the season!

The YHS boys had a much tougher night, winning only twice. Freshman Luke Ledbetter posted the lone individual victory, using a strong finish to take top honors in the 100 Free (55.22). Luke managed to edge New Castle's Nik Davis by .28 at the wall. That's why you work on those finishes all the time.

The other blue ribbon effort for the boys came in the 200 Free Relay, with the squad of Ledbetter, Seth Fuller, Kyle Rees and Jordan Fox hitting the wall first in 1:45.08.

Now the FUN part of the season beckons--the quickly approaching CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON. The Tigers will squeeze in a tuneup dual meet with Muncie South on Tuesday evening. But the focus is already turning toward the Hoosier Heritage Conference meet next weekend. The divers will have their prelims on Thursday night, with the championship portion of the meet on Saturday at New Palestine. The girls will be looking to defend their 2011 title and repeat as HHC champs, while the boys will be trying to stand atop the podium for the first time since the 2009 HHC.

This is gonna be a LOT of fun.

GO TIGERS!
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Girls--Yorktown 105, New Castle 81
Boys--New Castle 102, Yorktown 84
Meet Results, Courtesy of Jennifer Kelsik


Girls 200 Yard Medley Relay--1. Yorktown 'A' (Caroline Grasso, Jessica Extine, Lauren Elston, Larah Beaver) 1:57.38, 2. Yorktown 'B' (Katie Keller, Kersea Gable, Bailey Windell, Jill Swan) 2:10.55, 3. New Castle 'A' (Caitlin Becraft, Courtney Barr, Maky Myers, Taylor Kelsik) 2:12.22

Boys 200 Yard Medley Relay--1. New Castle 'A' (Kyler Durham, Matt DeHart, William Kelsik, Tyler Ratcliffe) 1:47.27, 2. Yorktown 'A' (Scott Heavilon, Isiah Huisman, Thommy Brown, Luke Ledbetter) 1:51.62, 3. New Castle 'B' (Kenton Durham, Zach Millikan, Robert Lamb, Sam Willis 2:09.19

Girls 200 Yard Freestyle--1. Aimee Haddix (NC) 2:06.96, 2. Katelyn Grasso (Y) 2:14.32, 3. Kirsten Nickoli (Y) 2:16.29, 4. Katie Larson (NC) 2:20.99, 5. Taylor Kelsik (NC) 2:24.71

Boys 200 Yard Freestyle--1. Kyler Durham (NC) 1:51.76, 2. Isiah Huisman (Y) 1:56.68, 3. Kyle Rees (Y) 2:11.27, 4. Kenton Durham (NC) 2:14.87, 5. Seth Fuller (Y) 2:15.14

Girls 200 Yard IM--1. Larah Beaver (Y) 2:19.03, 2. Lauren Elston (Y) 2:21.17, 3. Hannah Hawrot (NC) 2:29.06, 4. Kersea Gable (Y) 2:42.71, 5. Chloe Duvall (NC) 2:54.21

Boys 200 Yard IM--1. William Kelsik (NC) 2:07.89, 2. Alec Durant (Y) 2:23.25, 3. Alex Nickoli (Y) 2:26.40, 4. James Kemp (Y) 2:34.16, 5. Zach Millikan (NC) 2:40.67

Girls 50 Yard Freestyle--1. Jessica Extine (Y) 26.02, 2. Becca Foster (NC) 28.15, 3. Courtney Barr (NC) 28.52, 4 Katie Alcorn (NC) 29.17, 5. Jill Swan (Y) 29.99 1

Boys 50 Yard Freestyle--1. Matt DeHart (NC) 23.47, 2. Isiah Huisman (Y) 24.53, 3. Scott Heavilon (Y) 24.96, 4. Nik Davis (NC) 25.21, 5. Brock Rees (Y) 28.22

Girls 1-Meter Diving--1. Megan Millikan (NC) 191.40, 2. Sam Mahon (Y) 188.00, 3. Madyson Cook (NC) 166.10, 4. Ellie Smith (Y) 157.10, 5. Nadia Thurman (NC) 149.60

Boys 1-Meter Diving--1. Jose Dimas (NC) 190.70, Brandon Young (Y) 178.55, 3. Robert Webster (NC) 125.95, 4. Jordan Darvis (NC) 113.30, 5. Quinn Hurley(Y) 108.25

Girls 100 Yard Butterfly--1. Lauren Elston (Y) 1:03.44, 2. Maky Myers (NC) 1:15.06, 3. Laura Hamilton (NC) 1:20.76, 4. Katelyn Grasso (Y) 1:24.27, 5. Felicity New (NC) 1:35.98

Boys 100 Yard Butterfly--1. William Kelsik (NC) 58.11, 2. Thommy Brown (Y) 1:00.28, 3. Scott Heavilon (Y) 1:02.96, 4. Blake Rains (NC) 1:13.68, 5. Kyle Rees (Y) 1:15.02

Girls 100 Yard Freestyle--1. Larah Beaver (Y) 55.75, 2. Aimee Haddix (NC) 57.43, 3. Caroline Grasso (Y) 57.53, 4. Becca Foster (NC) 1:02.38, 5. Chelsea Watters (Y) 1:05.65

Boys 100 Yard Freestyle--1. Luke Ledbetter (Y) 55.22, 2. Nik Davis (NC) 55.50, 3. Tyler Ratcliffe (NC) 58.48, 4. Jordan Fox (Y) 59.59, 5. Sam Willis (NC) 1:03.45

Girls 500 Yard Freestyle--1. Kirsten Nickoli (Y) 5:54.86, 2. Bailey Windell (Y) 5:57.76, 3. Caitlin Becraft (NC) 5:58.10, 4. Katie Larson (NC) 6:21.83, 5. Felicity New (NC) 6:45.20

Boys 500 Yard Freestyle--1. Kyler Durham (NC) 5:03.91, 2. Alex Nickoli (Y) 5:42.30, 3. James Kemp (Y) 5:57.11, 4. Blake Rains (NC) 5:59.75, 5. Kyle Miller (Y) 6:05.04

Girls 200 Yard Freestyle Relay--1. New Castle 'A' (Hannah Hawrot, Courtney Barr, Becca Foster, Aimee Haddix) 1:51.68, 2. Yorktown 'A' (Kersea Gable, Katelyn Grasso, Katie Keller, Bailey Windell) 1:53.33, 3. New Castle 'B' (Megan Larson, Chloe Duvall, Katie Alcorn, Katie Larson) 2:02.96

Boys 200 Yard Freestyle Relay--1. Yorktown 'A' (Luke Ledbetter, Seth Fuller, Kyle Rees, Jordan Fox) 1:45.08, 2. New Castle 'A' (Tyler Ratcliffe, Nik Davis, Kenton Durham, Blake Rains) 1:45.88, 3. Yorktown 'B' (Brock Rees, Alec Durant, James Kemp, Alex Nickoli) 1:46.02

Girls 100 Yard Backstroke--1. Caroline Grasso (Y) 1:02.85, 2. Hannah Hawrot (NC) 1:07.62, 3. Katie Keller (Y) 1:09.76, 4. Caitlin Becraft (NC) 1:10.75, 5. Chloe Duvall (NC) 1:22.84

Boys 100 Yard Backstroke--1. Kenton Durham (NC) 1:07.60, 2. Tyler Ratcliffe (NC) 1:08.57, 3. Sam Willis (NC) 1:08.75, 4. Brock Rees (Y) 1:08.96, 5. Seth Fuller (Y) 1:15.91

Girls 100 Yard Breaststroke--1. Jessica Extine (Y) 1:14.38, 2. Maky Myers (NC) 1:19.05, 3. Chelsea Watters (Y) 1:21.42, 4. Courtney Barr (NC) 1:25.17, 5. Bailey Windell (Y) 1:27.92

Boys 100 Yard Breaststroke--1. Matt DeHart (NC) 1:05.15, 2. Alec Durant (Y) 1:12.40, 3. Zach Millikan (NC) 1:13.99, 4. Thommy Brown (Y) 1:14.08, 5. Jordan Fox (Y) 1:20.42

Girls 400 Yard Freestyle Relay--1. Yorktown 'A' (Larah Beaver, Caroline Grasso, Lauren Elston, Jessica Extine) 3:54.87, 2. New Castle 'A' (Aimee Haddix, Hannah Hawrot, Becca Foster, Caitlin Becraft) 4:10.43, 3. Yorktown 'B' (Kersea Gable, Katie Keller, Chelsea Watters, Katelyn Grasso) 4:20.52

Boys 400 Yard Freestyle Relay--1. New Castle 'A' (William Kelsik, Nik Davis, Matt DeHart, Kyler Durham) 3:30.38, 2. Yorktown 'A' (Isiah Huisman, Thommy Brown,. Luke Ledbetter, Scott Heavilon) 3:37.34, 3. Yorktown 'B' (James Kemp, Alex Nickoli, Alec Durant, Jordan Fox) 4:01.10