The Yorktown Tigers have begun climbing up the ladder in the rankings released today by the Indiana High School Swimming Coaches Association.
Head coach Brad Grieshop's boys jumped six spots from a week ago and find themselves the state's #14 team heading into the gruelling Christmas break training regimen. All three YHS boys relays also improved on their rankings from the December 14 poll--the 200-yard freestyle relay team's 1:31.64 is ranked #13 this week; the 400-yard freestyle relay team's 3:19.41 is also #13; and the 200-yard medley relay squad finds itself in the #14 position with a best time of 1:41.90. Congrats to senior Cameron Watters, juniors Adam Voss and Michael Heavilon, and sophomore Austin Dunn!
Two Tiger boys remain ranked in individual events. Voss is #6 in the 200-yard freestyle (1:42.67) and #7 in the 100-yard butterfly (51.29). Dunn joins Voss in the butterfly rankings at #15 (53.11), but fell out of the 100-yard freestyle rankings this week (it now takes a sub-50 to get onto the list of the 32 best in Indiana in that event).
On the girls side, Yorktown has moved into a tie with Lake Central for #30. The YHS 200-yard medley relay team (sophomore Larah Beaver and freshmen Kersea Gable, Jessica Extine and Caroline Grasso) has slipped into the #32 ranking with a 2:00.23, although their time of 1:59.13 against Noblesville last week would have been good enough for #29.
Beaver continues to be the only Tiger with an individual event ranking, holding down the #6 position in the 100-yard backstroke with a 57.10. Beaver's lifetime best of 54.09 would place her at #25 in the 100-yard freestyle if it were reported, and Extine's 24.69 in the 50-yard freestyle (at the club FAST Santa Claus Classic) would be good for #23 had it occurred in a YHS meet. Way to go, girls!
The Tigers will spend the next 2-1/2 weeks building their conditioning before taking on New Castle on January 7th.
GO TIGERS!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
MILLERS SWEEP TIGERS
The powerful Noblesville Millers showed why they're among the state's highest ranked teams Thursday night at Yorktown. The #5 Noblesville girls won 9 out of 12 events to top the Tigers 111-72, and the #8 Miller boys held off a late challenge from the Tigers to beat Yorktown 103-81. Noblesville pulled off the sweep despite not performing at full strength (some of head coach Rich Wolfred's top athletes didn't compete, including stud divers Meghan Potee and Katie Bittner).
On the boys side, the "Cardiac Kid" Tigers built an early lead, then fought back from a mid-meet deficit to take their best shot at an upset of the Millers. A 1-2 finish from senior Cameron Watters (5:11.76) and junior Michael Heavilon (5:12.94) in the 500-yard freestyle put Yorktown back in front 63-62 with just four more events left.
But Yorktown couldn't sustain the rally--the deep Millers put the pedal down in the next event, finishing 1-2 in the 200-yard freestyle relay to turn a one-point deficit into an insurmountable 74-65 lead. Noblesville rode that depth to expand their lead the rest of the evening to put away the Tigers.
Head coach Brad Grieshop's boys actually won half of the meet's 12 events. Watters was a double winner, adding the 100-yard backstroke (58.93) to his victory in the 500 free; junior Adam Voss captured two individual wins, taking the 200-yard freestyle (1:48.40) and the 100-yard butterfly (53.61). And sophomore Austin Dunn had the second-most exciting performance of the night to bring home the blue ribbon in the 100-yard freestyle. Dunn and Noblesville's Tommy Verbrugge (pronounced vur-BROOG-ee) were seeded just .02 of a second apart going to the blocks. They waged a heavyweight boxing-style race, Dunn edging Verbrugge 50.95 to 50.96!
Yorktown's other first place finish came from the 200-yard medley relay team of Watters, Dunn, Voss and Heavilon. They held off a tough Millers squad to best the field in 1:47.03.
The Tiger girls never seriously threatened Noblesville. The Millers had already doubled up on YHS following the first four events, taking a 42-20 lead into the diving break. Yorktown's girls outscored NHS 13-0 in the diving competition (without the Millers' Potee or Bittner) to pull the Tigers within 42-33. But it took Noblesville just two more events to expand the lead to 19 points (63-44).
Three Yorktown girls managed to post wins on Thursday night. Sophomore Sam Mahon continued her dual meet win streak in diving, taking top honors with a score of 188.70. Sophomore Larah Beaver was victorious in the 100-yard backstroke (1:01.22). But freshman Jessica Extine had the MOST exciting highlight of the night.
Extine battled state-ranked NHS senior Audrey Welklin stroke for stroke in the 50-yard freestyle, bringing the frenzied crowd to its feet. Extine and Welklin settled for a first place tie, each touching in 25.60. In all my years attending swim meets, last night was the first time I've ever seen one event end in a dead heat and ANOTHER be settled by .01 of a second.
Last night's meet marks the end of the so-called "first half" of the season (the girls have already passed the halfway mark in the number of meets on the schedule). Yorktown's Tigers won't race again until they resume their season with a dual meet at New Castle on January 7th.
The Tigers, who appear to be both mentally and physically exhausted, now face an even TOUGHER test. They'll spend the Christmas break doubling up on practices, enduring the high-intensity training regimen that will push them to their limits.
It is no exaggeration to say that some Tigers will be pushed to their breaking points over the next two weeks. We don't want to lose anyone to injury or burnout--our rosters are too small to absorb any reductions in personnel. So this is a CRITICAL time to make sure your athlete stays hydrated, well fed, getting as much rest as possible between workouts, and focused on the BENEFITS of this gruelling time instead of focusing on the demands themselves.
Stay strong, Tigers!
On the boys side, the "Cardiac Kid" Tigers built an early lead, then fought back from a mid-meet deficit to take their best shot at an upset of the Millers. A 1-2 finish from senior Cameron Watters (5:11.76) and junior Michael Heavilon (5:12.94) in the 500-yard freestyle put Yorktown back in front 63-62 with just four more events left.
But Yorktown couldn't sustain the rally--the deep Millers put the pedal down in the next event, finishing 1-2 in the 200-yard freestyle relay to turn a one-point deficit into an insurmountable 74-65 lead. Noblesville rode that depth to expand their lead the rest of the evening to put away the Tigers.
Head coach Brad Grieshop's boys actually won half of the meet's 12 events. Watters was a double winner, adding the 100-yard backstroke (58.93) to his victory in the 500 free; junior Adam Voss captured two individual wins, taking the 200-yard freestyle (1:48.40) and the 100-yard butterfly (53.61). And sophomore Austin Dunn had the second-most exciting performance of the night to bring home the blue ribbon in the 100-yard freestyle. Dunn and Noblesville's Tommy Verbrugge (pronounced vur-BROOG-ee) were seeded just .02 of a second apart going to the blocks. They waged a heavyweight boxing-style race, Dunn edging Verbrugge 50.95 to 50.96!
Yorktown's other first place finish came from the 200-yard medley relay team of Watters, Dunn, Voss and Heavilon. They held off a tough Millers squad to best the field in 1:47.03.
The Tiger girls never seriously threatened Noblesville. The Millers had already doubled up on YHS following the first four events, taking a 42-20 lead into the diving break. Yorktown's girls outscored NHS 13-0 in the diving competition (without the Millers' Potee or Bittner) to pull the Tigers within 42-33. But it took Noblesville just two more events to expand the lead to 19 points (63-44).
Three Yorktown girls managed to post wins on Thursday night. Sophomore Sam Mahon continued her dual meet win streak in diving, taking top honors with a score of 188.70. Sophomore Larah Beaver was victorious in the 100-yard backstroke (1:01.22). But freshman Jessica Extine had the MOST exciting highlight of the night.
Extine battled state-ranked NHS senior Audrey Welklin stroke for stroke in the 50-yard freestyle, bringing the frenzied crowd to its feet. Extine and Welklin settled for a first place tie, each touching in 25.60. In all my years attending swim meets, last night was the first time I've ever seen one event end in a dead heat and ANOTHER be settled by .01 of a second.
Last night's meet marks the end of the so-called "first half" of the season (the girls have already passed the halfway mark in the number of meets on the schedule). Yorktown's Tigers won't race again until they resume their season with a dual meet at New Castle on January 7th.
The Tigers, who appear to be both mentally and physically exhausted, now face an even TOUGHER test. They'll spend the Christmas break doubling up on practices, enduring the high-intensity training regimen that will push them to their limits.
It is no exaggeration to say that some Tigers will be pushed to their breaking points over the next two weeks. We don't want to lose anyone to injury or burnout--our rosters are too small to absorb any reductions in personnel. So this is a CRITICAL time to make sure your athlete stays hydrated, well fed, getting as much rest as possible between workouts, and focused on the BENEFITS of this gruelling time instead of focusing on the demands themselves.
Stay strong, Tigers!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
NOBLESVILLE TO VISIT YORKTOWN
The Yorktown Tigers have another tall order to fill this Thursday when they host the Noblesville Millers. The dual meet marks the final competition for the Tigers before their intensive training period over the Christmas holiday break.
YHS head coach Brad Grieshop's high school alma mater is loaded with talent again this season. The Millers bring the #5 girls team ranking and the #8 boys team ranking into Thursday's meet.
Noblesville's high rankings are well deserved. NHS head coach Rich Wolfred's roster is full of state ranked swimmers and divers. The Millers have two girls ranked among Indiana's best in the 50-yard freestyle this week (junior Marley Cripe is 10th at 24.26 and sophomore Claire Brolsma is 18th at 24.57). Cripe is 7th in the 100-yard freestyle rankings (52.43); senior Audrey Welklin is 8th in the 200-yard freestyle (1:53.01) and 5th in the 500-yard freestyle (5:00.81); sophomore Aubrey Kluth is #30 in the 500-yard freestyle (5:24.42); sophomore Rachel Thompson is #32 in the 200-yard IM (2:17.20); NHS has two more ranked swimmers in the 100-yard breaststroke, Thompson at #14 (1:06.80) and freshman Heather Hayes at #15 (1:06.96); sophomore Cora Meehan is 29th in the 100-yard backstroke (1:01.08); and the Millers have two of the top four divers in Indiana--junior Katie Bittner (#2 at 268.70), who won the IHSAA state championship in the event last season, and senior Meghan Potee (#4 245.13).
As if that weren't enough, Noblesville's relay teams are also top notch. The Miller girls are #6 in the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:41.21), #12 in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:44.85), and #11 in the 200-yard medley relay (1:52.08).
How about the Noblesville boys? Well, simply put, more of the same. Senior Collin Hanson is ranked 6th in the 50-yard freestyle (21.41) and 5th in the 100-yard freestyle (47.41); junior Ben May joins Hanson in the 100-yard freestyle rankings at 15th (48.47); May is #24 in the 200-yard freestyle (1:48.30), with sophomore teammate Tommy Verbrugge at #31 (1:50.57); Verbrugge is one of two more Millers in the 500-yard freestyle rankings (#30 at 5:03.84), with freshman Nick Strader #32 (5:04.28); senior Mike Reichert is 28th in the 200-yard IM (2:03.80); sophomore Kevin Lunte is 29th in the 100-yard butterfly (55.80) and 26th in the 100-yard backstroke (56.66).
The NHS boys relays are also strong--#6 in the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:30.51), #4 in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:16.72), and #16 in the 200-yard medley relay (1:43.89).
Thursday's meet is scheduled to begin at 5:15 p.m.
GO TIGERS!
YHS head coach Brad Grieshop's high school alma mater is loaded with talent again this season. The Millers bring the #5 girls team ranking and the #8 boys team ranking into Thursday's meet.
Noblesville's high rankings are well deserved. NHS head coach Rich Wolfred's roster is full of state ranked swimmers and divers. The Millers have two girls ranked among Indiana's best in the 50-yard freestyle this week (junior Marley Cripe is 10th at 24.26 and sophomore Claire Brolsma is 18th at 24.57). Cripe is 7th in the 100-yard freestyle rankings (52.43); senior Audrey Welklin is 8th in the 200-yard freestyle (1:53.01) and 5th in the 500-yard freestyle (5:00.81); sophomore Aubrey Kluth is #30 in the 500-yard freestyle (5:24.42); sophomore Rachel Thompson is #32 in the 200-yard IM (2:17.20); NHS has two more ranked swimmers in the 100-yard breaststroke, Thompson at #14 (1:06.80) and freshman Heather Hayes at #15 (1:06.96); sophomore Cora Meehan is 29th in the 100-yard backstroke (1:01.08); and the Millers have two of the top four divers in Indiana--junior Katie Bittner (#2 at 268.70), who won the IHSAA state championship in the event last season, and senior Meghan Potee (#4 245.13).
As if that weren't enough, Noblesville's relay teams are also top notch. The Miller girls are #6 in the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:41.21), #12 in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:44.85), and #11 in the 200-yard medley relay (1:52.08).
How about the Noblesville boys? Well, simply put, more of the same. Senior Collin Hanson is ranked 6th in the 50-yard freestyle (21.41) and 5th in the 100-yard freestyle (47.41); junior Ben May joins Hanson in the 100-yard freestyle rankings at 15th (48.47); May is #24 in the 200-yard freestyle (1:48.30), with sophomore teammate Tommy Verbrugge at #31 (1:50.57); Verbrugge is one of two more Millers in the 500-yard freestyle rankings (#30 at 5:03.84), with freshman Nick Strader #32 (5:04.28); senior Mike Reichert is 28th in the 200-yard IM (2:03.80); sophomore Kevin Lunte is 29th in the 100-yard butterfly (55.80) and 26th in the 100-yard backstroke (56.66).
The NHS boys relays are also strong--#6 in the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:30.51), #4 in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:16.72), and #16 in the 200-yard medley relay (1:43.89).
Thursday's meet is scheduled to begin at 5:15 p.m.
GO TIGERS!
LATEST SWIMMING RANKINGS RELEASED
Yorktown continues to show up among the state's best in the latest rankings released by the Indiana High School Swimming Coaches Association.
In the team polls, the Yorktown girls are #32 (46 girls teams are ranked this week, with Carmel still #1). Yorktown's boys are tied with Jeffersonville and Plainfield for 20th (51 boys teams are in the poll, with #1 Chesterton holding a slim three-point lead over #2 Carmel).
Several YHS girls now boast individual or relay team rankings. The 200-yard medley relay team (sophomore Larah Beaver and freshmen Jessica Extine, Kersea Gable and Caroline Grasso) has moved into this week's rankings at #24 (2:00.23). Beaver continues to be ranked 6th in the state in the 100-yard backstroke with a lifetime best of 57.10.
The boys are also making noise this week, especially in the relay rankings. All three YHS relays are in the poll; the "Fab 4" quartet of senior Cameron Watters, juniors Adam Voss and Michael Heavilon, and sophomore Austin Dunn are #16 in the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:33.22). The same swimmers find themselves at #16 in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:23.77) and #19 in the 200-yard medley relay (1:45.70).
The Tiger boys also have two individuals in the rankings. Sophomore Austin Dunn has moved into the 30th spot in the 100-yard freestyle (50.54) and is #15 in the 100-yard butterfly (53.11); junior Adam Voss is at #6 in the 200-yard freestyle (1:42.67) and is ranked 7th in the 100-yard butterfly (51.29).
In the team polls, the Yorktown girls are #32 (46 girls teams are ranked this week, with Carmel still #1). Yorktown's boys are tied with Jeffersonville and Plainfield for 20th (51 boys teams are in the poll, with #1 Chesterton holding a slim three-point lead over #2 Carmel).
Several YHS girls now boast individual or relay team rankings. The 200-yard medley relay team (sophomore Larah Beaver and freshmen Jessica Extine, Kersea Gable and Caroline Grasso) has moved into this week's rankings at #24 (2:00.23). Beaver continues to be ranked 6th in the state in the 100-yard backstroke with a lifetime best of 57.10.
The boys are also making noise this week, especially in the relay rankings. All three YHS relays are in the poll; the "Fab 4" quartet of senior Cameron Watters, juniors Adam Voss and Michael Heavilon, and sophomore Austin Dunn are #16 in the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:33.22). The same swimmers find themselves at #16 in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:23.77) and #19 in the 200-yard medley relay (1:45.70).
The Tiger boys also have two individuals in the rankings. Sophomore Austin Dunn has moved into the 30th spot in the 100-yard freestyle (50.54) and is #15 in the 100-yard butterfly (53.11); junior Adam Voss is at #6 in the 200-yard freestyle (1:42.67) and is ranked 7th in the 100-yard butterfly (51.29).
Monday, December 14, 2009
TIGERS GET MAULED AT HOMESTEAD
Saturday's 10th annual Homestead Invitational was a fantastic display of high quality mid-season racing and gutsy performances. Unfortunately, the vast majority of those efforts came from swimmers who aren't from Yorktown. But more about that in a moment. First, the final team standings from Saturday:
Boys--1. Northridge 490, 2. Chesterton 478, 3. Homestead 464, 4. Indianapolis North Central, 5. Yorktown 225.
Girls--1. Chesterton 564.5, 2. Homestead 488, 3. Northridge 425, 4. Indianapolis North Central 351.5, 5. Yorktown 169.
This meet is known for its high level of competition, and for the fast times it typically produces. If you show up at Homestead unable or unwilling to "dial it up" against some of the state's top quality teams and individuals, you'll get your teeth kicked in. And that's just what happened to the Tigers on Saturday.
Yorktown had 66 individual and relay team entrants get in the pool on Saturday. Of those 66, only 14 swam faster than their seed times. Of those 14, six were from athletes who were considered "no time" entrants. So they automatically get a pass for an improvement. That means only eight YHS entries improved on their established times at Homestead.
All six of Yorktown's 'A' relay teams swam slower than their seed times. Some of the Tigers most talented swimmers added significant amounts of time to their previous lifetime bests. Perhaps most glaringly, YHS swimmers finished in the bottom four places in three of the days events, and in the bottom three places in two other events.
I know what some of you are probably thinking. Cut them a break, it's the middle of the season, the kids are exhausted, they aren't supposed to be swimming fast in mid-December, etc. Well, those are excuses and cop outs. Every other team that showed up on Saturday was in the middle of the season, exhausted, and not supposed to be swimming fast in mid-December. THEY raced, we DIDN'T. It's all about effort and mindset, and if you need proof, here you go.
Chesterton's Kyle Whitaker is a world class swimmer. If anyone at Homestead could have been excused for skipping the 15-minute warm-up break between Saturday's 50 free and 100 fly, it's him. The guy's resume speaks for itself. But Whitaker was the LAST boy out of the pool during the break. Other swimmers from other teams also spent the break in the pool, working on stroke technique, or turns, or just getting a better feel for the water.
At the same time, many Yorktown kids were eating snacks, chit chatting with friends, posing for photos, etc., you know, the really important things at a swim meet.
All Whitaker did at the end of the meet was swim an incredible 44-second split in the 400-yard freestyle relay to turn a six-yard deficit into a victory by .04 second. That's not a typo, Whitaker swam a 44-second split over 100 yards, with WATER in his goggles!
As a journalist, I covered sporting events for 20 years. What Whitaker did Saturday was the greatest thing I've ever seen a high school athlete do, bar none. I don't know how many Yorktown Tigers were actually bothering to watch the race at the time, but they should have been. And they should have been inspired by Whitaker's burning desire to win. We could use a BIG dose of that spirit around here.
What I witnessed from the Tigers on Saturday was just sad. The Yorktown greats of the past (Ruth, Mattingly, Barttrum, Lockhart, Bird, and Hall) didn't build this program to have their legacy tarnished like this. They built it with pride, sacrifice, and determination so future Tigers would embrace the challenge, and take the program to even greater heights. They RACED!
Yorktown dropped out of the College Events Classic at Carmel this year because we were no longer competitive there. Saturday proved the same is true of the Homestead Invitational. We should not go back to Homestead until we belong there again. The other teams deserve better, and we are far from that right now.
It's only this writer's opinion, but the gap between what this once-proud program was, and what it has become, is an embarrassment.
Boys--1. Northridge 490, 2. Chesterton 478, 3. Homestead 464, 4. Indianapolis North Central, 5. Yorktown 225.
Girls--1. Chesterton 564.5, 2. Homestead 488, 3. Northridge 425, 4. Indianapolis North Central 351.5, 5. Yorktown 169.
This meet is known for its high level of competition, and for the fast times it typically produces. If you show up at Homestead unable or unwilling to "dial it up" against some of the state's top quality teams and individuals, you'll get your teeth kicked in. And that's just what happened to the Tigers on Saturday.
Yorktown had 66 individual and relay team entrants get in the pool on Saturday. Of those 66, only 14 swam faster than their seed times. Of those 14, six were from athletes who were considered "no time" entrants. So they automatically get a pass for an improvement. That means only eight YHS entries improved on their established times at Homestead.
All six of Yorktown's 'A' relay teams swam slower than their seed times. Some of the Tigers most talented swimmers added significant amounts of time to their previous lifetime bests. Perhaps most glaringly, YHS swimmers finished in the bottom four places in three of the days events, and in the bottom three places in two other events.
I know what some of you are probably thinking. Cut them a break, it's the middle of the season, the kids are exhausted, they aren't supposed to be swimming fast in mid-December, etc. Well, those are excuses and cop outs. Every other team that showed up on Saturday was in the middle of the season, exhausted, and not supposed to be swimming fast in mid-December. THEY raced, we DIDN'T. It's all about effort and mindset, and if you need proof, here you go.
Chesterton's Kyle Whitaker is a world class swimmer. If anyone at Homestead could have been excused for skipping the 15-minute warm-up break between Saturday's 50 free and 100 fly, it's him. The guy's resume speaks for itself. But Whitaker was the LAST boy out of the pool during the break. Other swimmers from other teams also spent the break in the pool, working on stroke technique, or turns, or just getting a better feel for the water.
At the same time, many Yorktown kids were eating snacks, chit chatting with friends, posing for photos, etc., you know, the really important things at a swim meet.
All Whitaker did at the end of the meet was swim an incredible 44-second split in the 400-yard freestyle relay to turn a six-yard deficit into a victory by .04 second. That's not a typo, Whitaker swam a 44-second split over 100 yards, with WATER in his goggles!
As a journalist, I covered sporting events for 20 years. What Whitaker did Saturday was the greatest thing I've ever seen a high school athlete do, bar none. I don't know how many Yorktown Tigers were actually bothering to watch the race at the time, but they should have been. And they should have been inspired by Whitaker's burning desire to win. We could use a BIG dose of that spirit around here.
What I witnessed from the Tigers on Saturday was just sad. The Yorktown greats of the past (Ruth, Mattingly, Barttrum, Lockhart, Bird, and Hall) didn't build this program to have their legacy tarnished like this. They built it with pride, sacrifice, and determination so future Tigers would embrace the challenge, and take the program to even greater heights. They RACED!
Yorktown dropped out of the College Events Classic at Carmel this year because we were no longer competitive there. Saturday proved the same is true of the Homestead Invitational. We should not go back to Homestead until we belong there again. The other teams deserve better, and we are far from that right now.
It's only this writer's opinion, but the gap between what this once-proud program was, and what it has become, is an embarrassment.
Friday, December 11, 2009
TIGERS TO FACE TOP COMPETITION AT HOMESTEAD
The Yorktown Tigers will face their stiffest challenge so far this season tomorrow at the Homestead Invitational. The annual meet brings together some of the top teams and individuals from across Indiana, and 2009 is no exception. Just how good?
Chesterton High School is clearly the most talented program at Homestead this year. The Trojan boys are #1 in the most recent Indiana High School Swimming Coaches Association rankings, they are the two-time defending IHSAA state champions, and they have Michigan recruit Kyle Whitaker ready to tear it up. Whitaker is a world class swimmer who will put on a show Saturday--he's the top seed in the 200-yard IM, the 100-yard butterfly, and the 100-yard backstroke; Whitaker will also lead off the Trojans' top seeded 200-yard medley relay and anchor their 3rd seeded 400-yard freestyle relay.
Chesterton's Tyler Fozkos is also a stud--he's the top seed in both the 50-yard freestyle and the 500-yard freestyle, and the #3 seed in the 200-yard freestyle.
The Chesterton girls are also very impressive. The Trojan ladies are #3 in the IHSSCA rankings, and they have two of the state's top swimmers in Olivia Kabacinski and Brittany Fozkos. Kabacinski has the talent to dominate in any stroke at any distance. She's seeded #1 in three events on Saturday, the 100-yard, 200-yard, and 500-yard freestyles. Fozkos is the #2 seed in the 50-yard freestyle and 4th in the 100-yard backstroke.
The rest of the field at Homestead isn't exactly chopped liver. The girls field includes #16 Homestead, #23 Indianapolis North Central, #32 Yorktown, and #35 Northridge. On the boys side, you'll find #3 Northridge, #23 Yorktown, #26 Indianapolis North Central, and #29 Homestead.
Northridge freshman Brennen Berger is the top seed in the 100-yard breaststroke. Homestead's Tori Bagan, North Central's Amy Katz and Northridge's Annie Cohoat are among the other standout girls in the field.
Yorktown isn't without its own impressive entrants. Junior Adam Voss owns the top seed going into tomorrow's 200-yard freestyle, and Voss is the #2 seed (behind Whitaker) in the 100-yard butterfly. The Yorktown boys 400-yard freestyle relay team of junior Michael Heavilon, senior Cameron Watters, sophomore Austin Dunn, and Voss is the top seed. Sophomore Larah Beaver holds the top seeded position in the loaded girls 100-yard backstroke field, and the #3 seed in the 100-yard freestyle.
The top 8 seeds at Homestead automatically swim in the championship final of each event, and the Tigers have several more swimmers who will start Saturday in the Top 8. They include freshman Jessica Extine (7th seed in the 50-yard freestyle), Dunn (6th seed in the 100-yard freestyle), Heavilon and Watters (6th and 8th seeds, respectively, in the 500-yard freestyle), and Watters again in the 100-yard backstroke (3rd seed).
Saturday's meet will be held at Summit Middle School (across the road from Homestead High School). Yorktown is scheduled to warm up from 9:45-10:15 a.m., with the first events scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m.
GO TIGERS!
Chesterton High School is clearly the most talented program at Homestead this year. The Trojan boys are #1 in the most recent Indiana High School Swimming Coaches Association rankings, they are the two-time defending IHSAA state champions, and they have Michigan recruit Kyle Whitaker ready to tear it up. Whitaker is a world class swimmer who will put on a show Saturday--he's the top seed in the 200-yard IM, the 100-yard butterfly, and the 100-yard backstroke; Whitaker will also lead off the Trojans' top seeded 200-yard medley relay and anchor their 3rd seeded 400-yard freestyle relay.
Chesterton's Tyler Fozkos is also a stud--he's the top seed in both the 50-yard freestyle and the 500-yard freestyle, and the #3 seed in the 200-yard freestyle.
The Chesterton girls are also very impressive. The Trojan ladies are #3 in the IHSSCA rankings, and they have two of the state's top swimmers in Olivia Kabacinski and Brittany Fozkos. Kabacinski has the talent to dominate in any stroke at any distance. She's seeded #1 in three events on Saturday, the 100-yard, 200-yard, and 500-yard freestyles. Fozkos is the #2 seed in the 50-yard freestyle and 4th in the 100-yard backstroke.
The rest of the field at Homestead isn't exactly chopped liver. The girls field includes #16 Homestead, #23 Indianapolis North Central, #32 Yorktown, and #35 Northridge. On the boys side, you'll find #3 Northridge, #23 Yorktown, #26 Indianapolis North Central, and #29 Homestead.
Northridge freshman Brennen Berger is the top seed in the 100-yard breaststroke. Homestead's Tori Bagan, North Central's Amy Katz and Northridge's Annie Cohoat are among the other standout girls in the field.
Yorktown isn't without its own impressive entrants. Junior Adam Voss owns the top seed going into tomorrow's 200-yard freestyle, and Voss is the #2 seed (behind Whitaker) in the 100-yard butterfly. The Yorktown boys 400-yard freestyle relay team of junior Michael Heavilon, senior Cameron Watters, sophomore Austin Dunn, and Voss is the top seed. Sophomore Larah Beaver holds the top seeded position in the loaded girls 100-yard backstroke field, and the #3 seed in the 100-yard freestyle.
The top 8 seeds at Homestead automatically swim in the championship final of each event, and the Tigers have several more swimmers who will start Saturday in the Top 8. They include freshman Jessica Extine (7th seed in the 50-yard freestyle), Dunn (6th seed in the 100-yard freestyle), Heavilon and Watters (6th and 8th seeds, respectively, in the 500-yard freestyle), and Watters again in the 100-yard backstroke (3rd seed).
Saturday's meet will be held at Summit Middle School (across the road from Homestead High School). Yorktown is scheduled to warm up from 9:45-10:15 a.m., with the first events scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m.
GO TIGERS!
ANOTHER MEET, ANOTHER SQUEAKER
If your life lacks excitement or pizazz, just check out the next Yorktown High School boys swimming and diving meet. These guys know how to keep spectators on the edge of their seats!
Thursday night, head coach Brad Grieshop's boys built a 40-21 lead after the first four events, only to watch most of their lead evaporate before holding on for a 94-91 victory over the Anderson Indians. Last night's contest came down to the final event, the 400-yard freestyle relay. The Tigers had little margin for error--YHS entered just one team in the 400, meaning a 3rd place finish or disqualification would cost them the meet.
Fortunately, the team of senior Cameron Watters, junior Joseph Railey, junior Joe Eskew and sophomore Austin Dunn had just enough to get the job done. They avoided a DQ and swam a 3:56.55 to place 2nd, earning the four points needed to seal the team's win.
Six Yorktown boys picked up at least one blue ribbon, with junior Adam Voss, junior Michael Heavilon, and sophomore Austin Dunn claiming multiple victories. Voss rode a textbook finish to win the closest race of the night, edging Anderson's Matthew Gray in the 50-yard freestyle 23.59 to 23.67. Voss also captured the 500-yard freestyle (5:06.10) and led off the victorious 200-yard medley relay team (1:55.72). Heavilon led the field to the wall in the 100-yard backstroke (1:02.38), and took the 100-yard butterfly (59.18). Dunn won the 200-yard freestyle (1:54.62) and the 100-yard breaststroke (1:10.30).
Senior Harrison Slater and freshman Thommy Brown teamed with Voss and Dunn to take top honors in the medley relay, and senior Cameron Watters grabbed the blue ribbon in the 200-yard IM (2:14.73).
Several other YHS boys made valuable contributions. Senior Michael Stocker raced to a pair of significant placings, coming in 4th in the 50-yard freestyle to score two important points, and holding off Anderson's Jarred Gray by .43 for 4th in the 100-yard freestyle to snare a couple more points. And junior diver Tyler Donges jumped in the pool and finished 5th for a point in the 100-yard backstroke.
The Yorktown girls had a much more relaxing evening, swimming to an easy 142-41 victory over the Indians. Freshman Jessica Extine topped the Tigers with four 1st place finishes. Six other girls were multiple winners for the YHS, including sophomores Larah Beaver (3) and Kirsten Nickoli (3), freshman Caroline Grasso (3), senior Heather Elston (2), sophomore Sam Mahon (2) and freshman Kersea Gable (2).
Extine earned individual wins in the 100-yard butterfly (1:08.51) and 100-yard breaststroke (1:17.73); Beaver was 1st in the 200-yard IM (2:24.04) and 100-yard backstroke (1:01.85); Nickoli picked up blues in the 200-yard freestyle (2:22.25) and 500-yard freestyle (6:11.38); Grasso won the 50-yard freestyle (28.32) and 100-yard freestyle (1:02.87); and Mahon continued her dual meet win streak in the diving competition, finishing on top with a score of 184.55.
Elston and freshman Jillian Buche teamed with Extine and Gable in the victorious 200-yard medley relay (2:08.18), and sophomore Chelsea Watters joined Gable, Elston and Extine as winners in the 200-yard freestyle (1:54.94).
The Tigers will need a good night's sleep tonight--they head to the Ft. Wayne area on Saturday to compete in the Homestead Invitational, historically one of the toughest meets in Indiana each season. The YHS team website indicates a start time of 10:30 a.m., but the Homestead High School website lists the start time as 11:00 a.m.
GO TIGERS!
Thursday night, head coach Brad Grieshop's boys built a 40-21 lead after the first four events, only to watch most of their lead evaporate before holding on for a 94-91 victory over the Anderson Indians. Last night's contest came down to the final event, the 400-yard freestyle relay. The Tigers had little margin for error--YHS entered just one team in the 400, meaning a 3rd place finish or disqualification would cost them the meet.
Fortunately, the team of senior Cameron Watters, junior Joseph Railey, junior Joe Eskew and sophomore Austin Dunn had just enough to get the job done. They avoided a DQ and swam a 3:56.55 to place 2nd, earning the four points needed to seal the team's win.
Six Yorktown boys picked up at least one blue ribbon, with junior Adam Voss, junior Michael Heavilon, and sophomore Austin Dunn claiming multiple victories. Voss rode a textbook finish to win the closest race of the night, edging Anderson's Matthew Gray in the 50-yard freestyle 23.59 to 23.67. Voss also captured the 500-yard freestyle (5:06.10) and led off the victorious 200-yard medley relay team (1:55.72). Heavilon led the field to the wall in the 100-yard backstroke (1:02.38), and took the 100-yard butterfly (59.18). Dunn won the 200-yard freestyle (1:54.62) and the 100-yard breaststroke (1:10.30).
Senior Harrison Slater and freshman Thommy Brown teamed with Voss and Dunn to take top honors in the medley relay, and senior Cameron Watters grabbed the blue ribbon in the 200-yard IM (2:14.73).
Several other YHS boys made valuable contributions. Senior Michael Stocker raced to a pair of significant placings, coming in 4th in the 50-yard freestyle to score two important points, and holding off Anderson's Jarred Gray by .43 for 4th in the 100-yard freestyle to snare a couple more points. And junior diver Tyler Donges jumped in the pool and finished 5th for a point in the 100-yard backstroke.
The Yorktown girls had a much more relaxing evening, swimming to an easy 142-41 victory over the Indians. Freshman Jessica Extine topped the Tigers with four 1st place finishes. Six other girls were multiple winners for the YHS, including sophomores Larah Beaver (3) and Kirsten Nickoli (3), freshman Caroline Grasso (3), senior Heather Elston (2), sophomore Sam Mahon (2) and freshman Kersea Gable (2).
Extine earned individual wins in the 100-yard butterfly (1:08.51) and 100-yard breaststroke (1:17.73); Beaver was 1st in the 200-yard IM (2:24.04) and 100-yard backstroke (1:01.85); Nickoli picked up blues in the 200-yard freestyle (2:22.25) and 500-yard freestyle (6:11.38); Grasso won the 50-yard freestyle (28.32) and 100-yard freestyle (1:02.87); and Mahon continued her dual meet win streak in the diving competition, finishing on top with a score of 184.55.
Elston and freshman Jillian Buche teamed with Extine and Gable in the victorious 200-yard medley relay (2:08.18), and sophomore Chelsea Watters joined Gable, Elston and Extine as winners in the 200-yard freestyle (1:54.94).
The Tigers will need a good night's sleep tonight--they head to the Ft. Wayne area on Saturday to compete in the Homestead Invitational, historically one of the toughest meets in Indiana each season. The YHS team website indicates a start time of 10:30 a.m., but the Homestead High School website lists the start time as 11:00 a.m.
GO TIGERS!
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