It's hard to believe that another high school swimming and diving season has come to a close. It's seems like only yesterday that our girls were one week away from starting their YHS practice schedule in late October, only to learn that they were losing yet ANOTHER coach. I'll never forget the tears those girls shed, or the determination they showed in a hastily called athletes-only meeting over pizza in the YHS cafeteria that night.
They decided right then and there that no matter what had happened earlier that day, or what might happen over the next four months, they were going to be successful in 2010-11. The boys showed the same kind of grit when their season began two weeks later; those seniors were not about to let their final go-round be tainted by something they had no control over. They were gonna talk the talk AND walk the walk every day.
In short, these Tigers persevered, worked their tails off, and gave parents, fans and THEMSELVES a FANTASTIC season that will not be forgotten.
Just how good? Well, it's easy to lose track of what's being accomplished in the midst of a busy season. Let me try to put it in some perspective.
On a team level, the Lady Tigers brought the Hoosier Heritage Conference trophy back where it belongs for the first time in three years. The girls had two individual HHC champions in junior Larah Beaver (100 free and 100 back), and sophomore Jessica Extine (50 free and 100 fly). They also collected two relay championships, with sophomores Caroline Grasso and Kersea Gable joining Beaver and Extine on the 200 medley relay; junior Brooke Sigler and sophomore Ashley Sexton teamed up with Beaver and Extine to nab the 400 free relay title.
The boys couldn't match Greenfield Central's depth at the HHC meet; the Cougars had the better team that day, but Yorktown had the better swimmers. The YHS Old Men put on a spectacular show that day, winning the FIRST FOUR events, and EIGHT on the day. Seniors Adam Voss (200 free and 100 back), Michael Heavilon (200 IM and 100 fly), and Hunter Hoffman (50 free and 100 breast) were individual double winners. Fellow senior Wes Gustin joined those three on the 200 medley relay titleist, and freshman Scott Heavilon was the fourth member of the 400 free relay champions.
Tournament time was also a joy. The Yorktown girls won three individual events at the tough Hamilton Southeastern Sectional--Beaver earned the blue ribbons in the 100 free and 100 back, with Extine besting the field for the top prize in the 50 free. The 200 medley relay (Grasso, Gable, Beaver, Extine) and 200 free relay (Extine, Grasso, senior Labby LaVoie and Beaver) dashed to State Meet qualifying times.
A week later, the Lady Tigers took their talents to the Big Dance, the IHSAA State Meet at the IU Natatorium. Beaver swam to the best individual finish of her career, 4th in the 100 back. She would add a 10th place finish in the 100 free. Extine was part of an amazing consol final that included THREE ties--Jess nailed down 15th place, a hint of even greater things to come. The 200 free relay failed to make it back on Saturday, but the medley relay got back and posted a 15th place effort. YHS scored 27.5 points and finished 21st in Indiana!
The boys were not to about to be outdone in the post-season. Hoffman led the way in the equally tough Fishers Sectional, winning gold in both the 50 and 100 free's. Voss added a 100 fly championship of his own, and the Heavilon brothers swam with the others to bring home the blue ribbon in the 400 free relay.
Last weekend, the Mighty Men of Yorktown strutted their stuff on the sport's biggest prep stage at the Nat. Hoffman sprinted his way to a State Meet 3rd place award in the 50 free and an 11th in the 100 free. Voss was 7th in the 100 fly and 13th in the 100 back. Heavilon scored valuable points with a 14th in the 100 fly. And the quartet of Voss, Hoffman, Michael Heavilon and Gustin nailed down 12th place in the 200 medley relay. The guys in green and white tallied 51 points, finishing 13th in Indiana!
The post-season awards list for Yorktown will be substantial. Hoffman and Beaver earned automatic 1st team All-State honors, with Voss an honorable mention All-Stater. Hoffman's performance in the 50 free makes him an automatic NISCA All-American in that event; Beaver was just .06 off the 100 back cut on the girls side, and is likely to grab her third All-American honor. And the boys medley relay was also just over the automatic All-American cut, and likely to receive the award if they apply for it.
Keep in mind just how difficult it is to become an All-American. Last year, that status was reserved for the top 130 swimmers or teams in each event in THE USA. The standard is even tougher this season--you have to be in the TOP 100 in the country to call yourself a high school All-American. They are the top one-tenth of one percent of all the participants in their sport in America!
Finally, these kids put quite a dent in the record boards in their pool, other pools, and in the HHC. Beaver broke the YHS 100 back record for the third-straight season, and did the same in the HHC. She also took down the Delta High School pool record in that event. On the boys side, Voss broke the 100 back school record SEVERAL times during the season, and also took down that record at the HHC. And the falling YHS records at the Fishers Sectional looked like a snow flurry. Hoffman would set the standard in the 100 free, Voss did it in the back, and both the medley relay and 400 relay teams put their names on the YHS record board that day!
A special note on Adam Voss--he finished his YHS career having NEVER lost an individual dual meet event. It took one hell of an effort to keep that streak alive in the Muncie Central meet at Southside, when Voss used an AMAZING final turn to come from behind and win the 100 back in the final stroke by .04 of a second. The weather later in the season would make that his final dual meet in a Yorktown speedo, so he went out in STYLE!
I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention the coaching job Matt Routh, Mary Ehresman and Frank Mattingly did with these kids. To take the reigns under difficult circumstances, with so little advance warning, and lead them to greatness was INSPIRING. Routh got a well-deserved Coach of the Year award for his girls' performance at HHC (before he got dunked), and if this was indeed a one-time affair, you did it with flare, Matt!
Thanks to all of you for bothering to read these blogs during the season, and for viewing the video clips of our outstanding athletes. On to even GREATER things in what promises to be a historic 2011-12 season.
And as always,
GO TIGERS!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
HOFFMAN, VOSS LEAD TIGERS TO 13TH AT STATE!
Yorktown's Hunter Hoffman receives his medalfor finishing 3rd in the 50 free at the 2011 State Meet
The Yorktown Tigers rode strong performances from their talented senior class to a 13th place finish in the team standings at Saturday's IHSAA State Meet at the IU Natatorium. It's the best finish by a YHS boys team since the 11th place showing by the 2007 Tigers.
Senior Hunter Hoffman earned the highest honors of the meet for Yorktown, blazing to 3rd place in the 50-yard freestyle in a lifetime best of 20.90. That's an AUTOMATIC All-American cut, and it ensures Hoffman a place on the All-State team in that event.
Hoffman would go on to finish 11th in the 100-yard freestyle (46.89), but he would probably be the first to say he could have gone faster. In fact, his Sectional championship time of 46.25 would have stood up for 4th at State on Saturday. Nevertheless, it was a terrific swim for a young man whose best days in the pool are still ahead of him, if he chooses to pursue the sport in college.
Fellow Class of '11 member Adam Voss also closed out his YHS career in style. Voss got on the State Meet medal stand for the first time, ending up 7th in the 100-yard butterfly with a 51.57 on Saturday afternoon. Adam also placed 13th in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 52.60--that after lowering his own YHS record in the event to 52.15 in Friday evening's prelims!
Michael Heavilon finished out the individual scoring for Yorktown. The senior put up a 52.43 to earn 14th place in the 100-yard butterfly yesterday, slightly slower than his 51.87 from Friday night.
The Tigers were only able to get one relay through to Saturday. The 200-yard medley relay squad of Voss, Hoffman, Heavilon and senior Wes Gustin went 1:37.21 to earn 12th place in the consolation final on Saturday.
The "Mighty Men of Yorktown" or the "Old Men" have had a fantastic season for head coach Matt Routh. Their contributions to the Yorktown swimming legacy will be long remembered. Great job, fellas!
GO TIGERS!
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Top 20 team standings--1. Carmel 227, 2. Bloomington South 171, 3. Westfield 146, 4. Chesterton 141.5, 5. Northridge 138.5, 6. Hamilton Southeastern 117, 7. Munster 116.5, 8. Homestead 112, 9. Zionsville 93.5, 10. Indianapolis North Central 93, 11. Jeffersonville 86, 12. Brebeuf 82, 13. YORKTOWN 51, 14. tie Crown Point and Castle 50, 16. Michigan City 49, 17. Concord 41, 18. tie Center Grove and Floyd Central 37, 20. Fishers 30.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
BOYS STATE MEET PREVIEW-WATCH OUT FOR YORKTOWN!
The Yorktown Tiger boys have had four Top 10 team finishes during the 2000's at the IHSAA State Meet. And the Mighty Men of Yorktown are in prime position to add another Top 10 finish (and perhaps claim their first individual swimming state championship since 2004) this weekend at the IU Natatorium.
Coach Matt Routh's team had an up-and-down dual meet season. But the "Old Men" (as I like to call them) have wisely saved their best for last--the championship season. Now, fresh off an impressive set of performances at the Fishers Sectional, the guys in green and white are fully tapered, brimming with confidence, and ready to take on Indiana's best on Friday and Saturday.
Yorktown will pin its individual scoring hopes on three dominant seniors--Michael Heavilon, Hunter Hoffman and Adam Voss. Hoffman has lit it up as one of the state's premier freestyle sprinters in his final HIGH SCHOOL season (PLEASE swim in college, kid--you have WAY too much talent to hang up your Speedo now!). Hoffman is the #3 seed (21.08) in the 50-yard freestyle and #4 (46.25) in the 100-yard freestyle. He is a legitimate threat to win either or both of those races, and also a major threat to the state 50 free record of 20.40 set by Yorktown's Eric Mattingly in 2004.
Voss is also seeded in position to score points in both of his individual events. Voss enters the meet as the #11 seed in the 100-yard butterfly (51.78), and the #15 seed in the 100-yard backstroke (52.86). Voss has enough talent, speed and EXPERIENCE in big meet pressure situations to sneak up on the field and get on the medal stand in either or both of those races, too. He knows what needs to be done, and he's capable of doing it.
Heavilon will swim only one individual event at State, the 100-yard butterfly. He's seeded #20 going in, but his seed time (52.69) is less than a second from being in the Top 10 entrants. Get him shaved down in a racing suit, and he just might make it back on Saturday and take home some points of his own.
But the RELAYS are where YHS has a great chance to show what a small school with a small pool can do. The quartet of Voss, Hoffman, Michael Heavilon and Wes Gustin tore it up a week ago in the Sectional final of the 200-yard medley relay at Fishers. They're the #7 seed starting Friday night with a 1:36.27. They're swimming with the sharks in the prelims, which will force them to dial it up two days from now. It will probably take a 1:34.00 to make it onto the top half of the medal stand on Saturday (automatic All-State territory). And these four young men have everything they need to make that happen.
Don't forget about the 400-yard freestyle relay squad of Hoffman, Michael AND freshman Scott Heavilon, and Voss. This group blazed through the Fishers field for a Sectional championship in school record time last weekend (3:12.04), and they have more in their tanks than they have shown. They're also seeded #7 starting Friday evening. I think these kids can go 3:10.00 if they can make it to Saturday--that's an average split of 47.5. But get these guys geeked in racing suits and shaved, and get outta the way!
The travel weather for Friday looks crappy, and the IHSAA's nazi-esque seating requirements are assinine. But these fellas have worked their tails off all season long for this very moment. Let's put as many crazy Yorktown fans in the Nat this weekend as possible, and watch these Mighty Men of Yorktown make some magic!
GO TIGERS!
Coach Matt Routh's team had an up-and-down dual meet season. But the "Old Men" (as I like to call them) have wisely saved their best for last--the championship season. Now, fresh off an impressive set of performances at the Fishers Sectional, the guys in green and white are fully tapered, brimming with confidence, and ready to take on Indiana's best on Friday and Saturday.
Yorktown will pin its individual scoring hopes on three dominant seniors--Michael Heavilon, Hunter Hoffman and Adam Voss. Hoffman has lit it up as one of the state's premier freestyle sprinters in his final HIGH SCHOOL season (PLEASE swim in college, kid--you have WAY too much talent to hang up your Speedo now!). Hoffman is the #3 seed (21.08) in the 50-yard freestyle and #4 (46.25) in the 100-yard freestyle. He is a legitimate threat to win either or both of those races, and also a major threat to the state 50 free record of 20.40 set by Yorktown's Eric Mattingly in 2004.
Voss is also seeded in position to score points in both of his individual events. Voss enters the meet as the #11 seed in the 100-yard butterfly (51.78), and the #15 seed in the 100-yard backstroke (52.86). Voss has enough talent, speed and EXPERIENCE in big meet pressure situations to sneak up on the field and get on the medal stand in either or both of those races, too. He knows what needs to be done, and he's capable of doing it.
Heavilon will swim only one individual event at State, the 100-yard butterfly. He's seeded #20 going in, but his seed time (52.69) is less than a second from being in the Top 10 entrants. Get him shaved down in a racing suit, and he just might make it back on Saturday and take home some points of his own.
But the RELAYS are where YHS has a great chance to show what a small school with a small pool can do. The quartet of Voss, Hoffman, Michael Heavilon and Wes Gustin tore it up a week ago in the Sectional final of the 200-yard medley relay at Fishers. They're the #7 seed starting Friday night with a 1:36.27. They're swimming with the sharks in the prelims, which will force them to dial it up two days from now. It will probably take a 1:34.00 to make it onto the top half of the medal stand on Saturday (automatic All-State territory). And these four young men have everything they need to make that happen.
Don't forget about the 400-yard freestyle relay squad of Hoffman, Michael AND freshman Scott Heavilon, and Voss. This group blazed through the Fishers field for a Sectional championship in school record time last weekend (3:12.04), and they have more in their tanks than they have shown. They're also seeded #7 starting Friday evening. I think these kids can go 3:10.00 if they can make it to Saturday--that's an average split of 47.5. But get these guys geeked in racing suits and shaved, and get outta the way!
The travel weather for Friday looks crappy, and the IHSAA's nazi-esque seating requirements are assinine. But these fellas have worked their tails off all season long for this very moment. Let's put as many crazy Yorktown fans in the Nat this weekend as possible, and watch these Mighty Men of Yorktown make some magic!
GO TIGERS!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
FOUR CHAMPIONS, FOUR SCHOOL RECORDS BROKEN!
Hunter Hoffman (left) receives his blue ribbonin the 400 free relay from
YHS coach Matt Routh
There are a lot of different ways to measure champions. But the 2010-11 edition of the Yorktown Tigers put all of them in play on Saturday, winning four events and demolishing four YHS boys school records along the way.
The Tigers made a statement in the first championship final of the day, falling short of titleist Hamilton Southeastern, but racing to a 2nd place finish, a State Meet qualification time, and a new Yorktown record in 1:36.27. The performance by seniors Adam Voss, Hunter Hoffman, Michael Heavilon and Wes "Goose" Gustin edged the old mark of 1:36.35 set by Brenden Butler, Zach Williams, Wells Arwood and Alex Clark in 2005. It would become a familiar theme throughout Saturday's finals.
Hoffman was the next Tiger to put the YHS record board in his crosshairs. He roared off the blocks for a 46.25 and a 1st place finish in the 100 free--a nearly two-second drop from his prelim time, and just good enough to knock Tiger legend Eric Mattingly off the board (the old record of 46.28 was set in 2004, when Hunter was still in elementary school!).
Voss stared down history in the 100 back. Adam used his outstanding underwater work to his maximum advantage against a State Meet-caliber field to claim 3rd in 52.86, more than a second under the State cut, and wiping out his own YHS record of 53.44 set earlier this year.
My personal favorite came in the day's final event, the 400 free relay. The quartet of Hoffman, Michael Heavilon, freshman Scott Heavilon and Voss led from start to finish, destroying the field to grab 1st by more than two seconds in a new YHS record time of 3:12.04. That erases the 3:12.23 put up by Alex Keller, David Tobin, Dan Farrell and Voss in the same meet in the same pool in 2009.
Hoffman added another individual 1st place award with an easy victory in the 50 free. His time of 21.08 has him seeded #3 at the State Meet. Throw in his #4 seeding in the 100 free next weekend, and it could be quite the exciting time at the Hoffman home.
Michael Heavilon is the other Tiger to make it to State in an individual event. He pushed hard all the way through the wall in the 100 fly to punch his ticket to the Nat in 52.69--that was good for "only" a 4th place finish in a field with crazy depth.
Several other Tigers had high quality efforts on Saturday. Scott Heavilon ended up 7th in the 500 free (4:59.03) and 8th in the 200 free (1:49.97)--he dropped almost 11 seconds from his prelim time in the 500! Gustin took 6th in the 50 free (22.85) and 8th in the 100 free (50.83); sophomore Thommy Brown and junior Alec Durant went 11th-12th in the 200 IM (2:14.90 and 2:15.79, respectively) behind Michael Heavilon's 5th (1:58.94); senior Tyler Donges was 6th in diving with a score of 338.20, which left him two spots below a bid to the regional; Brown went under 59 flat for the first time in the 100 fly, his 58.22 good enough for 10th; Durant added an 8th in the 100 breast (1:07.50); freshman Brock Rees brought home 12th in the 100 back in 1:07.86; the 200 free relay squad of Gustin, Brown, senior Joe Eskew and Scott Heavilon posted a 4th in a time of 1:35.34; and Eskew scored again with 11th in the 500 free (5:17.78).
The members of the State Team have five more days to amp it up again, finish working on the "little"things that add up to big chunks of time, and go tear it up at the IU Natatorium next Friday and Saturday.
GO TIGERS!
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Final team standings:
1. Hamilton Southeastern 349
2. Anderson 234
3. Fishers 213
4. YORKTOWN 210
5. Oak Hill 124
6. Pendleton Heights 123
7. Marion 36
Saturday, February 19, 2011
TIGERS BREAK FOUR YHS RECORDS, SEND A BUNCH TO STATE!
The Yorktown Tigers put on quite a display of talent, guts, and determination this afternoon at the Fishers Sectional.
Four YHS school records were shattered, two by individuals, two by relays. Congratulations to Adam Voss in the 100 back, Hunter Hoffman in the 100 free, the 200 medley relay quartet of Voss, Hoffman, Michael Heavilon and Wes Gustin (or should I call him "Goose" now?), and the 400 free relay of Hoffman, Michael and Scott Heavilon, and Voss.
The Tigers won several events today, and will send a strong contingent to represent YHS at next weekend's State Meet.
VIDEO CLIPS WITHIN THE HOUR at http://facebook.com/yorktown.swimming and eventually on You Tube.
Gotta get to work!
GO TIGERS!
Four YHS school records were shattered, two by individuals, two by relays. Congratulations to Adam Voss in the 100 back, Hunter Hoffman in the 100 free, the 200 medley relay quartet of Voss, Hoffman, Michael Heavilon and Wes Gustin (or should I call him "Goose" now?), and the 400 free relay of Hoffman, Michael and Scott Heavilon, and Voss.
The Tigers won several events today, and will send a strong contingent to represent YHS at next weekend's State Meet.
VIDEO CLIPS WITHIN THE HOUR at http://facebook.com/yorktown.swimming and eventually on You Tube.
Gotta get to work!
GO TIGERS!
Friday, February 18, 2011
HOFFMAN STAKES CLAIM TO FASTEST MAN TITLE
Hunter Hoffman hasn't shaved yet, didn't wear a cap, and really wasn't pushed much last night in the Fishers Sectional 50 free preliminaries.
All he did was swim the fastest time of the season in all of Indiana--21.24 seconds.
Man, tomorrow's final is gonna be over FAST!
GO TIGERS!
OLD FRIENDS AND TEAMMATES PUT ON A SHOW
Anderson's Kyle Johnson and Yorktown's Hunter Hoffman greet each other after a thrilling finish in
the 400-yard freestyle relay Thursday.
The tightest race of last night's Sectional preliminaries was the 400-yard freestyle relay. Yorktown built an early lead, gave it up on the 2nd leg, and the Tigers were more than a half-body length down to Anderson heading into the final exchange.
That's when former Anderson Highland teammates Kyle Johnson and Hunter Hoffman put on a show for the fans who stuck it out and stayed for the end of the meet.
Hoffman used a strong break out and a nice first turn to take a slight lead over Johnson with 50 yards to go. Hoffman held onto that lead heading to the final turn. Johnson delivered a fantastic turn, pulled even with Hoffman as they surfaced, then both gave it all they had in a dead out sprint to the finish line. Johnson had just enough to out-touch Hoffman and give Anderson the victory over Yorktown, 3:14.56 to 3:14.69.
Both young men have endured the difficult task of losing their former high school going into their season year. But they've handled it with class, and it sure hasn't hurt their speed, their competitive fire, or judging by the scene above, their FRIENDSHIP.
Great example to the younger kids, and just wait 'til these two guys anchor their teams again in Saturday's final event. Make sure you stay this time--it'll be well worth the extra few minutes to witness history.
GO TIGERS!
TIGER MEN STRONG IN SECTIONAL PRELIMS
The Fishers Sectional is one of the toughest in the state from year to year, and 2011 is no exception based on the times posted last night in the preliminary round of the competition at FHS.
Even so, the "Mighty Men of Yorktown" or, as I call them, the "Old Men" of YHS broke out some classic post-season swims last night, claiming two individual top seeds and one relay top seed in tomorrow's Sectional finals.
Seniors have carried this team throughout the 2010-11 season, and the graybeards came through again last night. Adam Voss was the quickest of the 18 competitors in the 100-yard butterfly and will pick the march out music as the #1 seed after touching the wall in 51.67. His longtime teammate and buddy Michael Heavilon was right behind him, going 52.79 to earn the #2 seed.
Fellow senior Hunter Hoffman will also carry the mantle of #1 seed into the final of the 50-yard freestyle following his season-best 21.24 in the prelims. Hoffman is only just beginning a journey that is likely to take him into Saturday at the State Meet next weekend. But first things first--look for Fishers' David Arick to push Hunter to a sub-21 time and the championship tomorrow.
The other #1 seed for Yorktown is its senior dominated 200-yard medley relay squad. Voss, Hoffman and Heavilon teamed with senior Wes Gustin on Thursday night to top the field with a time of 1:38.34. The first event of Saturday's competition will be an all-out war, with talented Fishers about a half-second behind YHS in the prelims. But it's the snake hiding in the weeds that everyone should watch out for--Hamilton Southeastern's quartet has already gone 1:36.80 this season, and they'll be bringing the gas tomorrow. The men in green will probably have to crank out a time better than the YHS record of 1:36.35 to win. Should be a classic!
Yorktown is set up to score lots of points in other events--Hoffman is the #2 seed in what should be another fantastic race in the 100-yard freestyle; Michael Heavilon is the #2 seed in the 200-yard IM; Voss enters the 100-yard backstroke as the #3 seed; and the 400-yard freestyle relay team of Voss, Michael and Scott Heavilon, and Hunter Hoffman is seeded #2 after touching the wall in 3:14.69, just 13/100ths behind Anderson last night. The YHS record of 3:12.23 could be in serious jeopardy tomorrow!
Other Tigers who advanced to tomorrow's races include freshman Scott Heavilon in the consol final of both the 200-yard freestyle and 500-yard freestyle; junior Alec Durant and sophomore Thommy Brown in the consol final of the 200-yard IM; Brown again in the consol final of the 100-yard butterfly; Gustin in the championship final of the 50-yard freestyle and the consol final of the 100-yard freestyle; senior Joe Eskew in the consol final of the 500-yard freestyle; freshman Brock Rees in the consol final of the 100-yard backstroke; Durant again in the consol final of the 100-yard breaststroke; and the 200-yard freestyle relay team of Gustin, Eskew, Brown and Scott Heavilon will be in the championship final.
It'll be a great day of racing. Get there early if you want a seat, because they'll go fast once the doors open. And dress for summer, because it will be VERY hot in the pool on Saturday.
Let's get as many swimmers and divers through to the State Meet as possible tomorrow.
And GO TIGERS!
Even so, the "Mighty Men of Yorktown" or, as I call them, the "Old Men" of YHS broke out some classic post-season swims last night, claiming two individual top seeds and one relay top seed in tomorrow's Sectional finals.
Seniors have carried this team throughout the 2010-11 season, and the graybeards came through again last night. Adam Voss was the quickest of the 18 competitors in the 100-yard butterfly and will pick the march out music as the #1 seed after touching the wall in 51.67. His longtime teammate and buddy Michael Heavilon was right behind him, going 52.79 to earn the #2 seed.
Fellow senior Hunter Hoffman will also carry the mantle of #1 seed into the final of the 50-yard freestyle following his season-best 21.24 in the prelims. Hoffman is only just beginning a journey that is likely to take him into Saturday at the State Meet next weekend. But first things first--look for Fishers' David Arick to push Hunter to a sub-21 time and the championship tomorrow.
The other #1 seed for Yorktown is its senior dominated 200-yard medley relay squad. Voss, Hoffman and Heavilon teamed with senior Wes Gustin on Thursday night to top the field with a time of 1:38.34. The first event of Saturday's competition will be an all-out war, with talented Fishers about a half-second behind YHS in the prelims. But it's the snake hiding in the weeds that everyone should watch out for--Hamilton Southeastern's quartet has already gone 1:36.80 this season, and they'll be bringing the gas tomorrow. The men in green will probably have to crank out a time better than the YHS record of 1:36.35 to win. Should be a classic!
Yorktown is set up to score lots of points in other events--Hoffman is the #2 seed in what should be another fantastic race in the 100-yard freestyle; Michael Heavilon is the #2 seed in the 200-yard IM; Voss enters the 100-yard backstroke as the #3 seed; and the 400-yard freestyle relay team of Voss, Michael and Scott Heavilon, and Hunter Hoffman is seeded #2 after touching the wall in 3:14.69, just 13/100ths behind Anderson last night. The YHS record of 3:12.23 could be in serious jeopardy tomorrow!
Other Tigers who advanced to tomorrow's races include freshman Scott Heavilon in the consol final of both the 200-yard freestyle and 500-yard freestyle; junior Alec Durant and sophomore Thommy Brown in the consol final of the 200-yard IM; Brown again in the consol final of the 100-yard butterfly; Gustin in the championship final of the 50-yard freestyle and the consol final of the 100-yard freestyle; senior Joe Eskew in the consol final of the 500-yard freestyle; freshman Brock Rees in the consol final of the 100-yard backstroke; Durant again in the consol final of the 100-yard breaststroke; and the 200-yard freestyle relay team of Gustin, Eskew, Brown and Scott Heavilon will be in the championship final.
It'll be a great day of racing. Get there early if you want a seat, because they'll go fast once the doors open. And dress for summer, because it will be VERY hot in the pool on Saturday.
Let's get as many swimmers and divers through to the State Meet as possible tomorrow.
And GO TIGERS!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
BEAVER 4TH AND 10TH, EXTINE AND MEDLEY RELAY 15TH AT STATE MEET!
Yorktown's Larah Beaver receives her 4th place medal Saturdayat the IU Natatorium.
Yorktown rode strong performances from junior Larah Beaver and sophomore Jessica Extine to score 27.5 points and finish 21st in the team standings at the 2011 IHSAA State Meet at the IU Natatorium on Saturday. It's the best YHS finish since the Kelsi Hall-led Tigers finished in 16th place in 2008.
Beaver had two individual Top 10 finishes on the day, becoming the first Lady Tiger to pull that off since Hall doubled in the 50 and 100 free's at the 2007 State Meet. Beaver earned first team All-State honors in the 100 back, going 56.49 to claim 4th in the championship final. She beat longtime nemesis and Indiana University recruit Allie Day for the first time along the way, and shattered her own YHS school record with a 56.16 in Friday night's preliminary round!
Beaver also swam impressively in the B final of the 100 free, finishing the day in 10th place with a 52.52. That effort came on the heels of Larah's lifetime best 52.45 on Friday night.
Extine also came to race after earning her way into the B final of the 50 free with a 24.27 on Friday night. Jess took it out strong in her first individual event at the State Meet, touching the wall in 24.44 Saturday afternoon for 15th place. That race was one of the more interesting ones of the weekend--it featured THREE ties, including Jess' deadlock with North Central's Kellie LaMothe.
Extine swam one other individual event at State, the 100 fly. She went 59.81 on Friday night to earn 26th place.
One other Tiger made her individual event debut at the State Meet over the weekend for the Tigers. Sophomore Caroline Grasso touched the wall in 1:00.81 for 25th place. You're gonna be hearing a lot more from this young lady over the next two years.
The YHS relays had mixed results. The medley relay quartet of Grasso, sophomore Kersea Gable, Beaver and Extine swam much slower than the week before, but still had enough in the tank to make the B final on Saturday.
The girls finished in 1:52.79 and brought home a 15th place finish for the green and white.
The 200 free relay team of Beaver, Grasso, senior Gabby LaVoie and Extine managed a 1:40.11 in Friday night's prelims, just off their season best time. But that would only hold up for 18th, which cost the girls a spot in the B final by two spots and .58 of a second.
The Lady Tigers just missed out on a Top 20 finish in the team standings, trailing 20th place Wawasee--the Warriors scored 30 points over the two days of competition.
This Yorktown State Team loses only LaVoie heading into next season. Watch out for a significant jump in the team standings at the 2012 State Meet, and for Beaver and Extine to make serious runs at their first individual state titles a year from now.
GO TIGERS!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
STATE MEET PREVIEW--BIG THINGS AHEAD!
It's hard to believe that the end of another girls season is already here. But in a little over 72 hours from now, Carmel will have won another state championship (the Greyhounds' 25TH in-a-row!), and our Yorktown Tigers will be leaving the IU Natatorium a tired (and hopefully happy) bunch of young women. In fact, I'm going to start calling them SWOMEN, because that's really what they are.
This is the largest contingent of Lady Tigers to make the trip to the State Meet since the YHS glory days of the
mid-2000's. Senior Gabby LaVoie, junior Larah Beaver, and sophomores Jessica Extine, Kersea Gable and Caroline Grasso have worked their tails off this season. They put on a fantastic display of talent, guts and determination last weekend at the Hamilton Southeastern Sectional. If there was any question about whether Yorktown swimming is back, it was put to rest then and there.
Now, the Lady Tigers put it all on the line again, against the very best competition the Hoosier state has to offer. And in a state where high school swimming is this strong, that talent is FORMIDABLE.
Even so, Yorktown is positioned to have its best team finish since 2008, when the team led by three-time state champion Kelsi Hall scored 30 points to finish 16th. If all the girls do this weekend is hold onto their seeded positions, they'll score 39 points, which will probably ensure a TOP 20 finish. Last year, 39 points would have been enough for a TOP 15 finish.
But I don't think our girls are satisfied with the status quo--they're confident, prepared, and HUNGRY for more. They WANT to move up in the seedings, and they'll get a chance to prove it in the prelims on Friday evening.
Junior Larah Beaver and sophomore Jessica Extine lead the way--both are qualified for two individual events, and both are more than capable of scoring very high IF they can get through the prelims in good shape. Beaver enters the State Meet as a Top 10 seed in the 100 back for the third-straight year. She's seeded 5th in a loaded field that may be the most talented backstroke group in State Meet history. Don't be surprised if every girl in Saturday's championship final comes in with an All-American cut, or swims one in that race. Jenny Connolly's state record of 53.53 could be in jeopardy.
Beaver is also seeded 11th in the 100 free, another slugfest of an event. Eleven of the top 14 seeds in that event are separated by just 88/100 of a second based on their sectional performances. This could be the weekend that Kelsi Hall's school record of 51.49 finally comes down, and someone in the field just might threaten to become only the second girl in State Meet history to break 50 flat.
Extine has had a breakout season. She enters the State Meet seeded 9th in the 50 free, and she's in a strong position to make the championship final and head for the medal stand on Saturday. Jess has defeated Auburn recruit Autumn Brown of Pendleton Heights THREE times in head-to-head meetings this season. And they're in the same prelim heat on Friday evening. That has to be a good omen for Jess. Go get 'em, kid!
Extine also got a call down in the 100 fly, where she's the 25th seed. She'll probably need to drop a second from her seed time to make it back on Saturday, but she can absolutely do it.
The other Tiger swimming in an individual event is Caroline Grasso. She has paid her dues all season long, and has continued to improve so much in the 100 back that she earned her way into the State Meet field as the 18th seed. The top 16 athletes in each event move on from the Friday prelims to Saturday's consolation and championship finals. How cool would it be for Caroline to score points at the State Meet this weekend? The answer is VERY COOL!
Gable and LaVoie round out the State team, and both are looking good. Gable swam a season and lifetime best breaststroke leg in the 200 medley relay at last weekend's sectional. She'll join Beaver, Extine and Grasso in the pursuit of their OWN school record in that event after tying it at Hamilton Southeastern. The girls are seeded 14th in that race on Friday, and don't be shocked if they manage to drop even more time. They're just off the NISCA All-American consideration cut of 1:49.04, and if they can get into Saturday's races, they might have a shot at the AUTOMATIC All-American cut of 1:47.16. Anyone who bets against these girls has a FOOL for a bookie. ;)
LaVoie is also rounding into form at just the right time. She was added to the 200 free relay squad between the sectional prelims and finals, a tough situation for an athlete. She handled it very well, swam a solid leg, and teamed with Beaver, Extine and Grasso to come within 1.13 seconds of the All-American consideration cut of 1:38.69. The Lady Tigers are the 15th seed in the prelims, and they want to make a serious run at the YHS record of 1:36.36. That's an incredible average of 24.09!--I think it's the most impressive record on the board. All four girls will have to have the swims of their lives to get there, but it'll be a helluva lotta fun watching them go for it.
Predictions? The surest one is the Carmel team victory. It's only slightly less safe than betting on the sunrise. But as far as Yorktown is concerned, here you go--Beaver makes the championship final and medal stand in both 100's; Extine does the same in the 50 free (I believe in under 24 flat for the first time in her career); Grasso makes the consolation final in the back with a 58 and scores the first State Meet points of her career; and both relays swim their way into Saturday's consolation finals, with a good shot at Top 10 finishes in both, especially the medley.
Ladies, you are tough, strong, talented, MOTIVATED, and READY to put on a show for the fans in green and white this weekend. LET'S ROLL!
GO TIGERS!
This is the largest contingent of Lady Tigers to make the trip to the State Meet since the YHS glory days of the
mid-2000's. Senior Gabby LaVoie, junior Larah Beaver, and sophomores Jessica Extine, Kersea Gable and Caroline Grasso have worked their tails off this season. They put on a fantastic display of talent, guts and determination last weekend at the Hamilton Southeastern Sectional. If there was any question about whether Yorktown swimming is back, it was put to rest then and there.
Now, the Lady Tigers put it all on the line again, against the very best competition the Hoosier state has to offer. And in a state where high school swimming is this strong, that talent is FORMIDABLE.
Even so, Yorktown is positioned to have its best team finish since 2008, when the team led by three-time state champion Kelsi Hall scored 30 points to finish 16th. If all the girls do this weekend is hold onto their seeded positions, they'll score 39 points, which will probably ensure a TOP 20 finish. Last year, 39 points would have been enough for a TOP 15 finish.
But I don't think our girls are satisfied with the status quo--they're confident, prepared, and HUNGRY for more. They WANT to move up in the seedings, and they'll get a chance to prove it in the prelims on Friday evening.
Junior Larah Beaver and sophomore Jessica Extine lead the way--both are qualified for two individual events, and both are more than capable of scoring very high IF they can get through the prelims in good shape. Beaver enters the State Meet as a Top 10 seed in the 100 back for the third-straight year. She's seeded 5th in a loaded field that may be the most talented backstroke group in State Meet history. Don't be surprised if every girl in Saturday's championship final comes in with an All-American cut, or swims one in that race. Jenny Connolly's state record of 53.53 could be in jeopardy.
Beaver is also seeded 11th in the 100 free, another slugfest of an event. Eleven of the top 14 seeds in that event are separated by just 88/100 of a second based on their sectional performances. This could be the weekend that Kelsi Hall's school record of 51.49 finally comes down, and someone in the field just might threaten to become only the second girl in State Meet history to break 50 flat.
Extine has had a breakout season. She enters the State Meet seeded 9th in the 50 free, and she's in a strong position to make the championship final and head for the medal stand on Saturday. Jess has defeated Auburn recruit Autumn Brown of Pendleton Heights THREE times in head-to-head meetings this season. And they're in the same prelim heat on Friday evening. That has to be a good omen for Jess. Go get 'em, kid!
Extine also got a call down in the 100 fly, where she's the 25th seed. She'll probably need to drop a second from her seed time to make it back on Saturday, but she can absolutely do it.
The other Tiger swimming in an individual event is Caroline Grasso. She has paid her dues all season long, and has continued to improve so much in the 100 back that she earned her way into the State Meet field as the 18th seed. The top 16 athletes in each event move on from the Friday prelims to Saturday's consolation and championship finals. How cool would it be for Caroline to score points at the State Meet this weekend? The answer is VERY COOL!
Gable and LaVoie round out the State team, and both are looking good. Gable swam a season and lifetime best breaststroke leg in the 200 medley relay at last weekend's sectional. She'll join Beaver, Extine and Grasso in the pursuit of their OWN school record in that event after tying it at Hamilton Southeastern. The girls are seeded 14th in that race on Friday, and don't be shocked if they manage to drop even more time. They're just off the NISCA All-American consideration cut of 1:49.04, and if they can get into Saturday's races, they might have a shot at the AUTOMATIC All-American cut of 1:47.16. Anyone who bets against these girls has a FOOL for a bookie. ;)
LaVoie is also rounding into form at just the right time. She was added to the 200 free relay squad between the sectional prelims and finals, a tough situation for an athlete. She handled it very well, swam a solid leg, and teamed with Beaver, Extine and Grasso to come within 1.13 seconds of the All-American consideration cut of 1:38.69. The Lady Tigers are the 15th seed in the prelims, and they want to make a serious run at the YHS record of 1:36.36. That's an incredible average of 24.09!--I think it's the most impressive record on the board. All four girls will have to have the swims of their lives to get there, but it'll be a helluva lotta fun watching them go for it.
Predictions? The surest one is the Carmel team victory. It's only slightly less safe than betting on the sunrise. But as far as Yorktown is concerned, here you go--Beaver makes the championship final and medal stand in both 100's; Extine does the same in the 50 free (I believe in under 24 flat for the first time in her career); Grasso makes the consolation final in the back with a 58 and scores the first State Meet points of her career; and both relays swim their way into Saturday's consolation finals, with a good shot at Top 10 finishes in both, especially the medley.
Ladies, you are tough, strong, talented, MOTIVATED, and READY to put on a show for the fans in green and white this weekend. LET'S ROLL!
GO TIGERS!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
MEMORIES THAT WILL NEVER FADE
You can watch the video clips of Yorktown's victories and runner-up finishes in the Hamilton Southeastern Sectional right now at either http://youtube.com, or http://facebook.com/yorktown.swimming.
I have also included the award stand ceremony clips--they're priceless for grandparents, siblings and other loved ones who couldn't make it to the meet on Saturday.
And I dropped some beefcake for you ladies, too--the Mighty Men of Yorktown who showed up to lend their support to the girls.
Way to go, guys.
GO TIGERS!
I have also included the award stand ceremony clips--they're priceless for grandparents, siblings and other loved ones who couldn't make it to the meet on Saturday.
And I dropped some beefcake for you ladies, too--the Mighty Men of Yorktown who showed up to lend their support to the girls.
Way to go, guys.
GO TIGERS!
HELLO STATE, HELLO RECORD BOARD!
Take a good taper, add some talent and attitude, and you have the recipe for a terrific performance. And that's just what the Yorktown Tigers cooked up over the weekend at the highly competitive Hamilton Southeastern Sectional.
The Lady Tigers won three events and posted runner-up finishes in three others to finish 3rd in the team standings with 203 points. Fishers scored 406 points to capture the first Sectional title in school history, with HSE runner-up with 306.
Junior Larah Beaver was a double-winner for YHS, taking the top prize in the 100-yard freestyle (52.46), and leading a 1-2 Yorktown blitz with sophomore Caroline Grasso in the 100-yard backstroke (57.09 and 59.46, respectively). That's the first Sectional 1-2 finish for Yorktown's girls since a couple of pretty decent swimmers named Maggie Bird and Jill Lockhart pulled it off in 2006. Nice work, ladies!
Sophomore Jessica Extine also added her name to an impressive list, picking up the first of what will likely be several Sectional championships in her career. Jess led from start to finish in the 50-yard freestyle, bringing home the bacon in a lifetime best 24.21! It was the third time Jess has faced and defeated Auburn recruit Autumn Brown of Pendleton Heights head-to-head in the 50 this season. Both Extine and Brown advanced to State (Brown failed to swim the state cut, but got a calldown Sunday), so these two rivals could mix it up again at the Nat next weekend if they both make it through to Saturday.
Extine also punched her ticket to State in the 100-yard butterfly. Jess was runner-up in 59.58, just off the state cut but plenty good for a calldown in that event.
Yorktown's sprint relays also put in some incredible efforts at the Sectional. The 200-yard medley relay quartet of sophomores Caroline Grasso and Kersea Gable, Beaver and Extine gave winner Fishers all they could handle before settling for 2nd in a time of 1:49.91. That ties the YHS record in the event, and it may have been faster--a touch pad malfunction left the time off the scoreboard, and the hand-timed results were averaged to achieve the final time. Only 13 teams around Indiana were faster in that event last night, so bigger things are possible at State.
The 200-yard freestyle relay also gave it all they had, finishing 2nd in 1:39.82. That's a state cut time, and a drop of more than FIVE seconds from their prelim seed time. The team of Extine, Grasso, senior Gabby LaVoie and Beaver was closing like a heat-seeking missile on Fishers at the finish. Beaver swam a blazing 23.51 anchor split, and might have made up all the ground if the event was the 205 free relay. ;)
Several other Tigers scored points in the Sectional cause--senior Rachel Reising, juniors Kirsten Nickoli, Erin Moreno, Chappell Railey, Brooke Sigler and Chelsea Watters, along with sophomore Ashley Sexton put valuable points on the board for Yorktown. And next year looks very bright--YHS will return all but 10.5 of its Sectional points for the 2011-12 season. Throw in some impressive incoming freshmen, and the Class of '12 just might make a run at the first Sectional championship in program history.
Next up? The Indiana State Meet, with prelims this Friday, and the top 16 qualifiers returning for the big showdown at the IU Natatorium on Saturday.
GO TIGERS!
The Lady Tigers won three events and posted runner-up finishes in three others to finish 3rd in the team standings with 203 points. Fishers scored 406 points to capture the first Sectional title in school history, with HSE runner-up with 306.
Junior Larah Beaver was a double-winner for YHS, taking the top prize in the 100-yard freestyle (52.46), and leading a 1-2 Yorktown blitz with sophomore Caroline Grasso in the 100-yard backstroke (57.09 and 59.46, respectively). That's the first Sectional 1-2 finish for Yorktown's girls since a couple of pretty decent swimmers named Maggie Bird and Jill Lockhart pulled it off in 2006. Nice work, ladies!
Sophomore Jessica Extine also added her name to an impressive list, picking up the first of what will likely be several Sectional championships in her career. Jess led from start to finish in the 50-yard freestyle, bringing home the bacon in a lifetime best 24.21! It was the third time Jess has faced and defeated Auburn recruit Autumn Brown of Pendleton Heights head-to-head in the 50 this season. Both Extine and Brown advanced to State (Brown failed to swim the state cut, but got a calldown Sunday), so these two rivals could mix it up again at the Nat next weekend if they both make it through to Saturday.
Extine also punched her ticket to State in the 100-yard butterfly. Jess was runner-up in 59.58, just off the state cut but plenty good for a calldown in that event.
Yorktown's sprint relays also put in some incredible efforts at the Sectional. The 200-yard medley relay quartet of sophomores Caroline Grasso and Kersea Gable, Beaver and Extine gave winner Fishers all they could handle before settling for 2nd in a time of 1:49.91. That ties the YHS record in the event, and it may have been faster--a touch pad malfunction left the time off the scoreboard, and the hand-timed results were averaged to achieve the final time. Only 13 teams around Indiana were faster in that event last night, so bigger things are possible at State.
The 200-yard freestyle relay also gave it all they had, finishing 2nd in 1:39.82. That's a state cut time, and a drop of more than FIVE seconds from their prelim seed time. The team of Extine, Grasso, senior Gabby LaVoie and Beaver was closing like a heat-seeking missile on Fishers at the finish. Beaver swam a blazing 23.51 anchor split, and might have made up all the ground if the event was the 205 free relay. ;)
Several other Tigers scored points in the Sectional cause--senior Rachel Reising, juniors Kirsten Nickoli, Erin Moreno, Chappell Railey, Brooke Sigler and Chelsea Watters, along with sophomore Ashley Sexton put valuable points on the board for Yorktown. And next year looks very bright--YHS will return all but 10.5 of its Sectional points for the 2011-12 season. Throw in some impressive incoming freshmen, and the Class of '12 just might make a run at the first Sectional championship in program history.
Next up? The Indiana State Meet, with prelims this Friday, and the top 16 qualifiers returning for the big showdown at the IU Natatorium on Saturday.
GO TIGERS!
Friday, February 4, 2011
LET'S GET IT ON!
This is one of my favorite days of the season--the opening night of the Sectional, when nerves and adrenaline are running high, and many of the swimmers have tapered, shaved, and are in their racing suits.
And isn't that what it's really all about, anyway? RACING!
Strategy is important, confidence is critical, but the bottom line is, you have to RACE--the girls in lanes 1 and 8, the ones right next to you, YOURSELF!
So let's go down to Hamilton Southeastern this evening, get that game face on, stay loose, and focus on your swims. Turn the anxiety of nervousness into the excitement of opportunity. Your journey to the State Meet begins in just a few hours--SEIZE THE DAY!
GO TIGERS!
And isn't that what it's really all about, anyway? RACING!
Strategy is important, confidence is critical, but the bottom line is, you have to RACE--the girls in lanes 1 and 8, the ones right next to you, YOURSELF!
So let's go down to Hamilton Southeastern this evening, get that game face on, stay loose, and focus on your swims. Turn the anxiety of nervousness into the excitement of opportunity. Your journey to the State Meet begins in just a few hours--SEIZE THE DAY!
GO TIGERS!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
HURRY UP AND WAIT
There'll be at least one more anxiety-ridden, tossing-and-turning night for a lot of girl swimmers across Indiana tonight. Old Man Winter has reared his ugly head at just the wrong time, forcing postponements at 12 of the IHSAA's 20 Sectional sites this evening, including at Hamilton Southeastern.
That means everything bumps back a day for competitors at Avon, Chesterton, Crawfordsville, Crown Point, Franklin, Hamilton Southeastern, Jay County, Lafayette Jeff, Lawrence North, New Palestine, Noblesville and North Central. That means us, Yorktown.
As of this writing shortly after 3:00 p.m. EST, the preliminaries were still scheduled to begin tonight at Castle, Columbus North, Floyd Central, Ft. Wayne South, Jasper, Northridge, South Bend Riley and Warsaw.
Diving prelims are scheduled for Saturday morning across the state, with the activity on the boards starting at 9:00 a.m. at HSE. The finals in all 12 events at HSE are set to begin at 1:00 p.m.
So what happens to the schedule if the prelims still can't be held on Friday night? That's unclear, but Noblesville coach Rich Wolfred told the Indianapolis Star that the Sectional hosted by his school would likely move to a timed finals, Saturday-only format if that occurs. Cross your fingers that isn't necessary.
Pray for good weather and continued melting on roads and highways (ESPECIALLY I-69!), and we'll see you at HSE on Friday night.
GO TIGERS!
That means everything bumps back a day for competitors at Avon, Chesterton, Crawfordsville, Crown Point, Franklin, Hamilton Southeastern, Jay County, Lafayette Jeff, Lawrence North, New Palestine, Noblesville and North Central. That means us, Yorktown.
As of this writing shortly after 3:00 p.m. EST, the preliminaries were still scheduled to begin tonight at Castle, Columbus North, Floyd Central, Ft. Wayne South, Jasper, Northridge, South Bend Riley and Warsaw.
Diving prelims are scheduled for Saturday morning across the state, with the activity on the boards starting at 9:00 a.m. at HSE. The finals in all 12 events at HSE are set to begin at 1:00 p.m.
So what happens to the schedule if the prelims still can't be held on Friday night? That's unclear, but Noblesville coach Rich Wolfred told the Indianapolis Star that the Sectional hosted by his school would likely move to a timed finals, Saturday-only format if that occurs. Cross your fingers that isn't necessary.
Pray for good weather and continued melting on roads and highways (ESPECIALLY I-69!), and we'll see you at HSE on Friday night.
GO TIGERS!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
SECTIONAL PREVIEW--HISTORY
We've all heard the phrase "800 pound gorilla" used to describe a dominant individual or team. And it sure does apply to Hamilton Southeastern when it comes to girls high school swimming.
All the Royals have done is win at least 12-straight Sectional championships (the IHSAA's archive of records doesn't include Sectional results going back past 1999). They've won them in blowout fashion, and in nailbiters. But they've seemingly always won--until now.
This appears to be the year HSE is ripe for the picking. Graduation decimated the Royals' senior-laden lineup last June--several of those girls are competing for NCAA D1 programs right now. While the cupboard isn't bare this season, it's much thinner than in previous years.
That opens the door for Fishers High School to capture the first Sectional title in the brief history of FHS swimming. Yorktown is a likely runner-up in the 2011 team standings, but could give Fishers a push if enough factors swing the way of the gals in green and white tomorrow night and on Saturday.
So how has Yorktown fared in Sectional competition? Pretty well. YHS has been in the top 3 in the standings seven out of the last eight years, including FIVE STRAIGHT runner-up finishes from 2003-2007. In fact, the '06 Tigers finished only 23 points behind the Royals in that year's Sectional. That was the incredible Maggie Bird-Jill Lockhart-Kelsi Hall team that went on to finish as STATE RUNNER-UP a week later, scoring 30.5 more points than 4th place HSE at the State Meet. Their trophy and banner still adorn the YHS pool. Only Carmel beat the Lady Tigers that day.
Let's go make some more history over the next three days, shall we?
GO TIGERS!
All the Royals have done is win at least 12-straight Sectional championships (the IHSAA's archive of records doesn't include Sectional results going back past 1999). They've won them in blowout fashion, and in nailbiters. But they've seemingly always won--until now.
This appears to be the year HSE is ripe for the picking. Graduation decimated the Royals' senior-laden lineup last June--several of those girls are competing for NCAA D1 programs right now. While the cupboard isn't bare this season, it's much thinner than in previous years.
That opens the door for Fishers High School to capture the first Sectional title in the brief history of FHS swimming. Yorktown is a likely runner-up in the 2011 team standings, but could give Fishers a push if enough factors swing the way of the gals in green and white tomorrow night and on Saturday.
So how has Yorktown fared in Sectional competition? Pretty well. YHS has been in the top 3 in the standings seven out of the last eight years, including FIVE STRAIGHT runner-up finishes from 2003-2007. In fact, the '06 Tigers finished only 23 points behind the Royals in that year's Sectional. That was the incredible Maggie Bird-Jill Lockhart-Kelsi Hall team that went on to finish as STATE RUNNER-UP a week later, scoring 30.5 more points than 4th place HSE at the State Meet. Their trophy and banner still adorn the YHS pool. Only Carmel beat the Lady Tigers that day.
Let's go make some more history over the next three days, shall we?
GO TIGERS!
SECTIONAL PRELIMS PREVIEW
Well, it's finally here--the beginning of the end, the week when tapers take hold and swimmers churn the water like a hurricane. It's SECTIONAL time!
This year's edition of the Yorktown Lady Tigers is primed to make its most impressive run in recent years at Hamilton Southeastern. YHS has the top-seeded individual in two events, a #2 seed in another, and several more highly placed seeds in individual events and relays. This is gonna be a very exciting few days, Tiger fans.
Junior Larah Beaver carries the #1 seeds into both the 100-yard backstroke and 100-yard freestyle. She's a threat to shatter her own sectional record in the 100 back (and perhaps the HSE pool record along the way). Beaver is also capable of making a serious run at both the YHS and Sectional records in the 100 free. The 100 free field is a strong one, and it may take a record time to stand atop the podium on Saturday.
Sophomore Jessica Extine is the second-seeded sprinter in the 50-yard freestyle, an event that may turn out to be the closest of the Sectional. Jess is sandwiched between #1 seed Melissa Ford of Oak Hill and arch rival Autumn Brown of Pendleton Heights, the third seed. Extine has already beaten Brown twice in the 50 free during head-to-head matchups this season, and will look to make it a hat trick on Saturday.
Sophomore Caroline Grasso is also seeded in the top six entrants in the 100-yard backstroke, and will swim right next to Beaver in their prelim heat tomorrow night. Caroline is coming off a breakout swim in the 100-yard freestyle against Muncie Central. If she tapers well and continues to swim with confidence and swagger, watch out for a possible YHS 1-2 finish in the back finals on Saturday.
The girls also appear to be in position to challenge Sectional favorite Fishers in both the 200-yard medley relay and the 200-yard freestyle relay. Coach Matt Routh has loaded up the short relay squad, and is giving them their best chance to compete for a Sectional crown and earn a berth in the State Meet. I said earlier this year that I believe the medley squad of Beaver, Extine, Grasso and sophomore Kersea Gable has what it takes to break the YHS record at the Sectional. I still believe that will happen--the first time during Thursday's prelims, and again in the showdown against top-seeded Fishers and perennial power Hamilton Southeastern on Saturday.
The team championship appears to be Fishers' to lose--they have the most top seeds, are positioned to score the most points, and may very well win the first Sectional title in their young school history. But if the stars align just right, and Yorktown gets a break or two here and there, the green and white version of the Tigers might put a scare into the red and white version.
Keep in mind that anything can happen at a Sectional. It's high adrenaline and high nerves--people make mistakes in the tournament they might not otherwise make. Ask Norwell about that; their top-seeded 400-yard freestyle relay was disqualified in the preliminary round of the Jay County Sectional in 2009. It cost them a chance to score another 32 points and a shot at the team title ultimately won by Muncie Central.
Girls, you've done the work. You've put up the times. And you've beaten some very good teams and swimmers in 2010-11. Go down to Hamilton Southeastern tomorrow night and swim with confidence, swagger and Tiger pride. If you do that, you'll be just fine.
GO TIGERS!
This year's edition of the Yorktown Lady Tigers is primed to make its most impressive run in recent years at Hamilton Southeastern. YHS has the top-seeded individual in two events, a #2 seed in another, and several more highly placed seeds in individual events and relays. This is gonna be a very exciting few days, Tiger fans.
Junior Larah Beaver carries the #1 seeds into both the 100-yard backstroke and 100-yard freestyle. She's a threat to shatter her own sectional record in the 100 back (and perhaps the HSE pool record along the way). Beaver is also capable of making a serious run at both the YHS and Sectional records in the 100 free. The 100 free field is a strong one, and it may take a record time to stand atop the podium on Saturday.
Sophomore Jessica Extine is the second-seeded sprinter in the 50-yard freestyle, an event that may turn out to be the closest of the Sectional. Jess is sandwiched between #1 seed Melissa Ford of Oak Hill and arch rival Autumn Brown of Pendleton Heights, the third seed. Extine has already beaten Brown twice in the 50 free during head-to-head matchups this season, and will look to make it a hat trick on Saturday.
Sophomore Caroline Grasso is also seeded in the top six entrants in the 100-yard backstroke, and will swim right next to Beaver in their prelim heat tomorrow night. Caroline is coming off a breakout swim in the 100-yard freestyle against Muncie Central. If she tapers well and continues to swim with confidence and swagger, watch out for a possible YHS 1-2 finish in the back finals on Saturday.
The girls also appear to be in position to challenge Sectional favorite Fishers in both the 200-yard medley relay and the 200-yard freestyle relay. Coach Matt Routh has loaded up the short relay squad, and is giving them their best chance to compete for a Sectional crown and earn a berth in the State Meet. I said earlier this year that I believe the medley squad of Beaver, Extine, Grasso and sophomore Kersea Gable has what it takes to break the YHS record at the Sectional. I still believe that will happen--the first time during Thursday's prelims, and again in the showdown against top-seeded Fishers and perennial power Hamilton Southeastern on Saturday.
The team championship appears to be Fishers' to lose--they have the most top seeds, are positioned to score the most points, and may very well win the first Sectional title in their young school history. But if the stars align just right, and Yorktown gets a break or two here and there, the green and white version of the Tigers might put a scare into the red and white version.
Keep in mind that anything can happen at a Sectional. It's high adrenaline and high nerves--people make mistakes in the tournament they might not otherwise make. Ask Norwell about that; their top-seeded 400-yard freestyle relay was disqualified in the preliminary round of the Jay County Sectional in 2009. It cost them a chance to score another 32 points and a shot at the team title ultimately won by Muncie Central.
Girls, you've done the work. You've put up the times. And you've beaten some very good teams and swimmers in 2010-11. Go down to Hamilton Southeastern tomorrow night and swim with confidence, swagger and Tiger pride. If you do that, you'll be just fine.
GO TIGERS!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
CORRECTION--A GREAT SWIM, NOT A RECORD
My apologies--I credited Adam Voss with breaking the school record in the 100 back against Muncie Central. It was a fantastic swim, but just shy of his OWN YHS record in that event.
Adam's 53.44 is the current standard, one he set earlier this year at the Hoosier Heritage Conference Meet. Look for that one to go down if he swims that event in the upcoming IHSAA Tournament.
Either way, the kid is an all around stud.
Way to go, Adam!
GO TIGERS!
Adam's 53.44 is the current standard, one he set earlier this year at the Hoosier Heritage Conference Meet. Look for that one to go down if he swims that event in the upcoming IHSAA Tournament.
Either way, the kid is an all around stud.
Way to go, Adam!
GO TIGERS!
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