While no local girls advanced to the IHSAA Swimming State Finals out of a very tough Columbus North Sectional two weeks ago, the story is much better for the area boys.
To advance to state at the IUPUI Natatorium in Indianapolis, a swimmer must win their sectional or qualify on time.
East Central’s Nick Weber qualified in two individual events by winning both the 50 (21.40) and 100 (46.93) freestyles. Weber also was a member of the winning 200 free relay team (1:27.12) along with Ayden Ketchem, Kaden Cummins and Henry Strotman.
The Trojans 200 Medley relay team finished second and also qualified for state on time while setting a new school record in the process (1:35.99). Team members include: Weber, Skyler Cavins, Ray Krider and Ketchem.
Milan’s Dylan Thomas (1:00.18) also moves on to state after claiming first in the 100 breaststroke (1:00.18).
One other individual performance of note. Cavins of East Central was second in the 200 IM and set a new school record (1:55.56).
As a team, East Central was the highest area finisher in fourth place. Batesville placed sixth, Milan was seventh, Greensburg came in eighth while Oldenburg, South Dearborn and Rising Sun took spots 10 through 12.
The preliminary round of the state finals is Friday, Febraury 25 with the finals to follow on Saturday, February 26.
Local swimmers who swam in Saturday’s sectional championship heats (top 8) include:
- 200 Medley Relay- East Central 2nd (Weber, Cavins, Krider, Ketchem), Milan 5th (Schwipps, Hartwell, Volz, Thomas), Batesville 7th (Callahan, Moster, Tyrer, Tekulve) and Greensburg 8th (Hawkins, Reynolds, Mains, Walden)
- 200 Free- (EC) Kaden Kummins 5th and (EC) Ray Krider 7th
- 200 IM- (EC) Skyler Cavins 2nd, (MIL) Dylan Thomas 3rd and (BA) Benjamin Moster 8th
- 50 Free- (EC) Nick Weber, (EC) Ayden Ketcham 5th and (BA) William Johnson 8th
- 100 Butterfly- (EC) Skyler Cavins 4th and (BA) Ciaran Tyrer 8th
- 100 Free- (EC) Nick Weber and (BA) William Johnson 8th
- 500 Free- (EC) Kaden Cummins 6th
- 200 Free Relay- East Central 1st (Ketcham, Cummins, Strotman, Weber), Batesville 4th (Tekulve, Shroder, Tyrer, Johnson), Greensburg 7th (Hawkins, Reynolds, Walden, Hostetler) and Oldenburg Academy 8th (Schutte, Pitzer, Schenk, Wuestefeld)
- 100 Backstroke- (EC) Ayden Ketcham 4th and (EC) Ray Krider 6th
- 100 Breaststroke- (MIL) Dylan Thomas
- 400 Free Relay- East Central 4th (Strotman, Cummins, Krider, Cavins), Batesville 6th (Callahan, Shroder, Moster, Johnson), Milan 7th (Volz, Hartwell, Schwipps, Thomas) and Greensburg 8th (Hostetler, Everroad, Mains, Reynolds)
Please click on this link for complete results (including the consolation heat swims for places nine through 16 and also diving).
Unedited reports…
Batesville coach Greg McMullen- The Batesville high school men’s swimming program traveled to compete at the IHSAA Sectional meet hosted by Columbus North high school.
With 12 overall swims, the Bulldogs came away with a sixth place finished, tying last years overall placement.
Junior William Johnson lead the team overall earning spots in the A-final of both individual events (50 and 100 Free), coming away with 22 points on the night with two 8th place finishes. Senior Benjamin Moster earned an 8th (200 IM) and 9th (100 Breaststroke).
Junior Ciaran Tyrer capped out the A-finalists by finishing in 8th in the 100 Fly and also brought home a 15th in the 100 Breaststroke.
Senior Sean Callahan capped off his career with a lifetime best in the 500 Free and earning 10th and 13th in the 200 Freestyle.
Senior Joseph Shroder earned his first ever individual callback at the IHSAA Sectional in the 50-freestyle and sprinted away with a 14th place finish in what would also be a lifetime-best swim.
“Today was emotional,” said Head Coach Greg McMullen. “We’re moving on from a chapter that’s changed the trajectory of our program. And don’t misunderstand me on this, we still have a lot of talent and hard-working individuals on the team moving into next year. But the group of seniors we have, have done something special.”
“This senior class has been with me, largely, from the beginning. They bought in, dug in and proved that we can compete against much bigger schools. Next season we’ll be continuing to grow in strength, and putting our best efforts forward every time we swim.”
McMullen continued: “I want to thank every single swimmer that’s come through Batesville High School to set the foundation for where we are today and I want to thank this class for being such a fantastic group of young leaders. Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog!”
TEAM SCORES
Bloomington North, 427
Bloomington South, 348
Columbus North, 327
East Central, 323
Columbus East, 239
Batesville, 149
Milan, 125
Greensburg, 93
Edgewood, 75
Oldenburg Academy, 52
South Dearborn, 29
Rising Sun, 24
South Ripley & Lawrenceburg —
BULLDOG FINALISTS
200 Medley Relay — Callahan, Moster, Tyrer, Matthew Tekulve (7th)
Sean Callahan — 200 Free (13th); 500 Free (10th)
Benjamin Moster —200 IM (8th); 100 Breast (9th)
William Johnson — 50 Free and 100 Free (8th)
Joseph Shroder — 50 Free (14th)
Ciaran Tyrer — 100 Fly (8th); 100 Breast (15th)
200 Freestyle Relay — Tekulve, Shroder, Tyrer, Johnson (4th)
400 Freestyle Relay — Callahan, Shroder, Moster, Johnson (6th)
We thank the IHSAA for the results and to coach McMullen for his report.