Crawfordsville’s Whitman Horton is a special swimmer. But many people in Montgomery County already know that. Well now the entire state knows that fact as well as the standout junior took home 5th place overall in the backstroke (50.66) and 10th in the 200 IM (1:55.33) at the IHSAA Boys Swim State Finals on Friday. The top five placing in the backstroke guarantees Horton a podium finish while he’ll also swim in the consolations in the IM on Saturday back at the IUPUI Natatorium.
“It’s a really special deal when a junior can get there and have two lifetime bests and still get the chance to come back in both events,” Crawfordsville coach Kevin Hedrick said. “It’s pretty amazing to see what he did tonight.”
This journey is what both Horton and Hedrick had planned as while most swimmers prepare their bodies to get out of the sectional, Horton didn’t the week leading up to last Saturday. He chose to prepare for the State Finals and this past week he was able to hit the ground running.
“It’s huge to not have to do any recovery,” Hedrick added. “We were locked in and ready to go on Monday. It was refreshing for him to not have any residual effects from the sectional because we took it easy from both a mental and physical standpoint.”
The Athenians sent six total individuals to the State Finals as the 200 medley relay team of Ryan Miller, Campbell Mason, Airton Schu, and Horton swam a time of 1:42.64. Mason swam both the 200 freestyle (1:53.64) and 500 freestyle (5:06.31) while the 400 freestyle relay team of Hutton Haas, Adrian Medina, Mason and Horton swam a 3:28.59.
North Montgomery also had senior Jamason Burget swim in the final race of his career as he swam a time of 56.89 in the 100 butterfly. Charger coach Erin Yeager was thrilled for her senior to be able to finish his career on such a high note.
“I was pleased he made it to State and while he didn’t drop time he was less than 0.1 off his lifetime best from Sectionals,” she said. “It was a great way to finish the season and I will miss his leadership and enthusiasm with the team.”
Horton will now get to swim on the final day of the IHSAA Boys Swim season, just like his brother Marshall did a year ago.
“This is a journey that he has prepared for all season,” Hedrick said. “He’s been very careful and diligent to make sure we don’t step off this path. When you’re as laser focused as he has been, it’s no surprise to me that we’re here because Whit is a one-of-a-kind swimmer.”
The State Finals back at the IUPUI Natatorium will get underway at 1 pm Saturday afternoon.
