STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE

There's an old saying in sports--and in life--you can't be the best until you beat the best. That principle has been reflected in the Tigers' strength of schedule throughout this decade, and the upcoming season is no different.

A glance at the pre-season rankings compiled by the Indiana High School Swimming Coaches Association bears that out. Head Coach Brad Grieshop's girls will face at least six of the state's Top 20 teams in dual meets or invitationals during the 2009-10 season. The girls open with a dual meet at 17th ranked Lawrence North, face 11th ranked Westfield twice (first in the Westfield Invitational, then a dual meet a week later), and tackle 3rd ranked Noblesville, 5th ranked Chesterton, #7 Homestead and #16 Indianapolis North Central along the way.

Throw in tough dual meets with rivals Pendleton Heights (who should be ranked by Thanksgiving thanks to freestyler Autumn Brown), Delta and Muncie Central--and the very competitive Hoosier Heritage Conference meet in January--and you have a meat grinder of a schedule.

Then the girls get to compete with pre-season #2 Hamilton Southeastern and sixth ranked Fishers in the sectional.

The Yorktown boys face a similar challenge. Grieshop's guys have four of the pre-season's Top 20 on their horizon (#5 Chesterton, #12 Northridge, 14th ranked Westfield--twice, and 15th ranked Noblesville), plus the same dual meets, and one of the state's toughest sectionals (Hamilton Southeastern), where the pre-season #4 Royals and third ranked Fishers await.

The fine young men and women of Yorktown will need all your support between now and late February. Come to their meets, be loud and proud, and cheer them onto the State Meet!