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!