There's something very special about what athletes call "Opening Day." Whether it's a football player FINALLY getting to hit someone in a different colored jersey, a baseball player ripping an April gapper, or a swimmer answering the whistle to take the blocks for the first time, the competitive juices really get flowing in the season's first contest.
The girls from Lawrence North and Yorktown get to renew that feeling in just a few short hours. Dozens of athletes who have spent hundreds of hours preparing their muscles and minds for this day will put it all on the line in the YHS pool. A couple of hours later, some will leave happy in victory, others will leave disappointed in loss; virtually ALL of them will leave exhausted. But they'll all be a step closer to their individual and team goals, and that's a good thing in this day and age.
So if you don't have any plans for this evening, come on out to the Yorktown pool, spend a few bucks on a ticket and concessions, and enjoy watching some of the hardest working kids in this area strut their stuff. You'll be glad you did.
After all, it's Opening Day.
GO TIGERS!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
EARLY SEASON FAST TIMES, TAKE TWO
Another team has come out of the gates quickly, again from the far northern part of the state. #19 Concord's 200-yard medley relay team of Mia Leas, Kylie Little, Abby Linn and Audra Burtch smoked the water in 1:49.11 in Tuesday's 108-77 win over Bremen.
Future Yorktown opponent Noblesville lost a season-opening barn burner to Zionsville Tuesday night. The 8th ranked Eagles survived a 1-2 medley relay finish by Noblesville and edged the 7th ranked Millers 94-92. Zionsville's Zoe Mattingly went 57.30 to win the 100-yard butterfly. Millers diver Katie Bittner, a former IHSAA state champion, captured the 1-meter diving competition with a score of 260.50.
Yorktown travels to Noblesville for their annual dual meet on December 16th.
Future Yorktown opponent Noblesville lost a season-opening barn burner to Zionsville Tuesday night. The 8th ranked Eagles survived a 1-2 medley relay finish by Noblesville and edged the 7th ranked Millers 94-92. Zionsville's Zoe Mattingly went 57.30 to win the 100-yard butterfly. Millers diver Katie Bittner, a former IHSAA state champion, captured the 1-meter diving competition with a score of 260.50.
Yorktown travels to Noblesville for their annual dual meet on December 16th.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
EARLY SEASON FAST TIMES ACROSS STATE
Carmel is the #1 team in the girls pre-season poll, and rightfully so after 24-straight state championships. The Greyhounds are probably a lock (Locke?) to make it 25 in February. But several other teams are making strong statements in the water in the first two weeks of the season.
#31 Penn's 200-yard medley relay team of Bethany Galat, Anne Spalding, Kimberly Hochstedler and Sarah Coyne threw down a 1:51.26 in their meet with #3 Munster--which was no slouch either, posting a 1:51.70 on opening night. Penn beat Munster that night, 105-81.
Powerful #4 Chesterton's medley relay is right on Penn's heels. The Trojan quartet of Maddie Miller, Olivia Kabacinski, Meaghan McLaughlin and Lauren Foor touched in 1:51.38 in their victory over Highland.
#31 Penn's 200-yard medley relay team of Bethany Galat, Anne Spalding, Kimberly Hochstedler and Sarah Coyne threw down a 1:51.26 in their meet with #3 Munster--which was no slouch either, posting a 1:51.70 on opening night. Penn beat Munster that night, 105-81.
Powerful #4 Chesterton's medley relay is right on Penn's heels. The Trojan quartet of Maddie Miller, Olivia Kabacinski, Meaghan McLaughlin and Lauren Foor touched in 1:51.38 in their victory over Highland.
LAWRENCE NORTH AT YORKTOWN PREVIEW
Two of Indiana's top programs tangle Thursday when Yorktown hosts Lawrence North in the 2010-11 season opener for both girls swimming and diving teams.
The Wildcats are ranked 18th in the state in the pre-season poll compiled by the Indiana High School Swim Coaches Association (IHSSCA). LN put on an impressive show in last February's State Meet, scoring 52 points to finish 13th. The Wildcats got their 200-yard medley relay team into the 'A' final (they got disqualified), the LN girls captured 8th place in the 200-yard freestyle relay, and their 400-yard freestyle relay team finished 11th. LN senior Julie Ogden was 2010 state runner-up in the 100-yard butterfly, and she's ranked #1 in that event among returnees for 2011.
LN is far from being a one-woman team this season, though. Sophomores Laura Weiss and Taryn Anderson joined Ogden on last season's sectional champion medley relay team. Junior Peyton Cunningham was sectional champion in the 50-yard freestyle and runner-up in the 100-yard freestyle; Weiss was sectional runner-up in the 200-yard IM; Anderson finished 3rd in the 100-yard freestyle at the sectional; sophomore Morgan Matsuoka finished 2nd in the 500-yard freestyle; senior Allison Crone joined Ogden and Cunningham on a 1st place
200-yard freestyle relay team; Anderson put up a runner-up finish in the 100-yard backstroke; Weiss was a sectional runner-up in the 100-yard breaststroke; and the Wildcats return half of their sectional champion
400-yard freestyle relay squad in Ogden and Cunningham.
The cupboard is far from bare at Yorktown this year, too. The Tiger girls start 2010-11 as the 22nd ranked team in the IHSSCA poll.
Junior All-American Larah Beaver finished 11th in the 100-yard backstroke at last season's State Meet following her sectional-record championship performance the week before. Beaver won the long course meters state championship in her signature event over the summer, and starts this season holding the #7 ranking in that event, along with the #12 ranking in the pre-season 100-yard freestyle.
Sophomores Caroline Grasso, Jessica Extine and Kersea Gable are also capable of top-level performances. That trio teamed with Beaver to compete in the 200-yard medley relay at the State Meet last year, and if they can stay healthy this season, those four Tigers will make a serious run at the YHS record of 1:49.91 set back in 2006. Only ten teams broke the 1:50 barrier at the 2010 State Meet, so such a time could also put the Tigers in position for a Top 10 finish at this seasons' big dance.
Extine has the talent to make a deep run in the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly this year; Grasso's abilities make her a threat in both the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard backstroke; Gable is the program's best breaststroker. Senior Gabby LaVoie and juniors Sam Mahon, Kirsten Nickoli, Chappell Railey and Chelsea Watters scored points in the 2010 sectional, and they'll need to continue making solid contributions for Yorktown to succeed in dual meets.
Thursday's meet begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Yorktown High School pool. Come early, be loud and be proud.
GO TIGERS!
The Wildcats are ranked 18th in the state in the pre-season poll compiled by the Indiana High School Swim Coaches Association (IHSSCA). LN put on an impressive show in last February's State Meet, scoring 52 points to finish 13th. The Wildcats got their 200-yard medley relay team into the 'A' final (they got disqualified), the LN girls captured 8th place in the 200-yard freestyle relay, and their 400-yard freestyle relay team finished 11th. LN senior Julie Ogden was 2010 state runner-up in the 100-yard butterfly, and she's ranked #1 in that event among returnees for 2011.
LN is far from being a one-woman team this season, though. Sophomores Laura Weiss and Taryn Anderson joined Ogden on last season's sectional champion medley relay team. Junior Peyton Cunningham was sectional champion in the 50-yard freestyle and runner-up in the 100-yard freestyle; Weiss was sectional runner-up in the 200-yard IM; Anderson finished 3rd in the 100-yard freestyle at the sectional; sophomore Morgan Matsuoka finished 2nd in the 500-yard freestyle; senior Allison Crone joined Ogden and Cunningham on a 1st place
200-yard freestyle relay team; Anderson put up a runner-up finish in the 100-yard backstroke; Weiss was a sectional runner-up in the 100-yard breaststroke; and the Wildcats return half of their sectional champion
400-yard freestyle relay squad in Ogden and Cunningham.
The cupboard is far from bare at Yorktown this year, too. The Tiger girls start 2010-11 as the 22nd ranked team in the IHSSCA poll.
Junior All-American Larah Beaver finished 11th in the 100-yard backstroke at last season's State Meet following her sectional-record championship performance the week before. Beaver won the long course meters state championship in her signature event over the summer, and starts this season holding the #7 ranking in that event, along with the #12 ranking in the pre-season 100-yard freestyle.
Sophomores Caroline Grasso, Jessica Extine and Kersea Gable are also capable of top-level performances. That trio teamed with Beaver to compete in the 200-yard medley relay at the State Meet last year, and if they can stay healthy this season, those four Tigers will make a serious run at the YHS record of 1:49.91 set back in 2006. Only ten teams broke the 1:50 barrier at the 2010 State Meet, so such a time could also put the Tigers in position for a Top 10 finish at this seasons' big dance.
Extine has the talent to make a deep run in the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly this year; Grasso's abilities make her a threat in both the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard backstroke; Gable is the program's best breaststroker. Senior Gabby LaVoie and juniors Sam Mahon, Kirsten Nickoli, Chappell Railey and Chelsea Watters scored points in the 2010 sectional, and they'll need to continue making solid contributions for Yorktown to succeed in dual meets.
Thursday's meet begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Yorktown High School pool. Come early, be loud and be proud.
GO TIGERS!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
A DAY FOR REFLECTION
I would be remiss if I didn't take some time on this Veterans Day 2010 to mention my personal gratitude to all of our men and women in uniform. They are the modern warriors who keep us all free to pursue swimming, or journalism, or any other passion we choose.
Many of today's soldiers, sailors and fliers are the sons and daughters of those who served our country during their younger years. The luckiest of today's military servants got to meet their descendants; some of the less fortunate had to settle for other people's recollections of their fathers, mothers, uncles and aunts. THEY made the ultimate sacrifice by dying in service to the United States.
On this day, let us all take just a moment to think about how lucky we are, how indebted we are, and how much we all stand to lose if this great nation ever loses its most precious possession--our FREEDOM.
And thank a veteran today for his or her role in guaranteeing our freedoms.
Long live the USA!
Many of today's soldiers, sailors and fliers are the sons and daughters of those who served our country during their younger years. The luckiest of today's military servants got to meet their descendants; some of the less fortunate had to settle for other people's recollections of their fathers, mothers, uncles and aunts. THEY made the ultimate sacrifice by dying in service to the United States.
On this day, let us all take just a moment to think about how lucky we are, how indebted we are, and how much we all stand to lose if this great nation ever loses its most precious possession--our FREEDOM.
And thank a veteran today for his or her role in guaranteeing our freedoms.
Long live the USA!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
PARENTS MEETING TONIGHT, MEET CANCELLED
A couple of miscellaneous tidbits here nine days before the first meet of the season: The YHS Swim Booster Club will host a parents meeting tonight at 7:00 in the YHS library.
We've also had a schedule change before the season is even underway. The Westfield dual meet that had been scheduled on Nov. 27 (two days after Thanksgiving) at Yorktown has been cancelled. So cross that one off your list.
On the flipside, the girls will be testing their mettle early this season against some of the state's top competition. The Lady Tigers open 2010-11 against the 18th ranked Lawrence North Wildcats and top flyer Julie Ogden on Nov. 18th. That meet is at home.
Two days later, the girls travel to Westfield for the Shamrocks' annual Invitational. The field includes
#6 Fishers, #22 Yorktown, #25 Brebeuf, #31 Westfield, Lafayette Jeff and Roncalli. Expect some fast early season times as a few of the top-ranked individuals and relay teams in Indiana push each other.
GO TIGERS!
We've also had a schedule change before the season is even underway. The Westfield dual meet that had been scheduled on Nov. 27 (two days after Thanksgiving) at Yorktown has been cancelled. So cross that one off your list.
On the flipside, the girls will be testing their mettle early this season against some of the state's top competition. The Lady Tigers open 2010-11 against the 18th ranked Lawrence North Wildcats and top flyer Julie Ogden on Nov. 18th. That meet is at home.
Two days later, the girls travel to Westfield for the Shamrocks' annual Invitational. The field includes
#6 Fishers, #22 Yorktown, #25 Brebeuf, #31 Westfield, Lafayette Jeff and Roncalli. Expect some fast early season times as a few of the top-ranked individuals and relay teams in Indiana push each other.
GO TIGERS!
Friday, November 5, 2010
FORMER TIGERS OFF TO STRONG STARTS
Two former Yorktown High School swimmers are off to fast starts to the 2010-11 NCAA season.
Miami Hurricanes junior Kelsi Hall (formerly of Kentucky) is ranked 20th in the country in the 50-yard freestyle among all Division 1 women. Hall has a season best time of :23.31, and she owns the top four times in that event so far this season for the 'Canes. It appears Kelsi's change of scenery has done her a lot of good--watch out for her at the Atlantic Coast Conference meet later this season.
Eastern Michigan senior Sarah Kowalski (can she already be a senior?) has also gotten off to a quick start to her final collegiate season. Sarah's early season best time of :23.56 in the 50-yard freestyle ranks her 2nd in the Mid-American Conference and 54th in the country in that event. She has also gone :52.27 in the 100-yard freestyle, the 4th fastest time in the MAC during the 2010-11 campaign. Sarah will also be making some big waves at the MAC champhionships in a few months.
These two ladies excel in their sport with grace and class, just what you'd expect from them. Nice job, girls. Keep up the good work and make Yorktown proud!
Miami Hurricanes junior Kelsi Hall (formerly of Kentucky) is ranked 20th in the country in the 50-yard freestyle among all Division 1 women. Hall has a season best time of :23.31, and she owns the top four times in that event so far this season for the 'Canes. It appears Kelsi's change of scenery has done her a lot of good--watch out for her at the Atlantic Coast Conference meet later this season.
Eastern Michigan senior Sarah Kowalski (can she already be a senior?) has also gotten off to a quick start to her final collegiate season. Sarah's early season best time of :23.56 in the 50-yard freestyle ranks her 2nd in the Mid-American Conference and 54th in the country in that event. She has also gone :52.27 in the 100-yard freestyle, the 4th fastest time in the MAC during the 2010-11 campaign. Sarah will also be making some big waves at the MAC champhionships in a few months.
These two ladies excel in their sport with grace and class, just what you'd expect from them. Nice job, girls. Keep up the good work and make Yorktown proud!
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