Southmont hopes to see a successful girls’ swimming and diving season continue this weekend at the Crawfordsville IHSAA Sectional.
The Athenians have won the last three sectional titles, but the Mounties expect to be right in the thick of things as they chase their first title since 2001.
Southmont coach Jane Coudret knows it will take a complete team effort.
“When you are competing for a team title, it is just like any other sport,” she said. “You are counting on everyone on the team. Everyone has a role to play. Some are going to score more points than others, but in the end the team with the most points wins.”
Last season the Mounties finished third, just a half point behind the Indians.
Heading into tonights prelims, the Mounties hold top seed times in three individual events, and the 200 and 400 freestyle relays.
Megan Scheidler is seeded No. 1 in the 200 freestyle with a time of 2:06.1, while Emma Tyler is seed first in the 200 individual medley in 2:14.99, and the 500 freestyle in 5:29.53. Megan Scheidler is seeded second in the 500 freestyle, while Jane Scheidler is seeded No. 2 in both the 50 and 100 freestyle.
Coudret feels like the senior group that includes Tyler, Jane Scheidler, along with Suzi Pedro and Aubrey Jones have stepped up throughout the season to make each swimmer better.
“The seniors have grown in their leadership ability, our new swimmers have continued to improve in their swimming,” she said. “And they are all paying attention to detail much better.”
Pedro is seeded No. 3 in the 100 breaststroke, and fourth in the 50 freestyle. Sophomore Bailey Barker is seventh in the 200 freestyle, while Jones is No. 7 in the 100 butterfly.
While Crawfordsville graduated a senior group that helped the Athenians to a third-straight sectional title last year, coach Kevin Hedrick is still excited about the potential his team has for the 2020 state series.
“We have a couple swims that we feel we have a good chance at placing very well,” he said. “And so we are sticking to our ‘Swim our personal best’ and see where we land mentality.”
Hedrick also feels like diving points will be key for the Athenians to pick up a high finish in the team standings. Faith Rogers placed fourth last year, and freshman Trinity Deck has been in the mix all season long.
Alyx Bannon is seeded No. 3 in both the 50 and 100 freestyle, while both Abby Bannon and Frannie Fuller are seeded in the top-8 of the 200 individual medley. Abby Bannon is also seeded second in the 100 breaststroke, while Fuller is seeded No. 5 in the 100 backstroke. Halle Smith and Jaiden Barber are each seeded in the top-8 of the 200 freestyle and 100 backstroke respectively. Smith is also seeded No. 5 in the 100 butterfly. Cathleen McGrady is seeded No. 7 in the 500 freestyle and the 100 breaststroke.
“We are definitely peaking at the right time and we have a goal of 100% best times this week,” Hedrick said of the expectations this weekend. “We nearly have every member of the girls team with lifetime best swims already this season so we are very confident that we are ready!”
North Montgomery’s Sidney Campbell will look to defend her titles in the 50 and 100 freestyle. The junior is seeded No. 1 in both with a time of 24.61 seconds in the 50 freestyle and 53.84 seconds in the 100 freestyle.
“We are excited for the opportunity to let her shine at the sectional meet and we want to make a return trip to state,” North Montgomery coach Erin Yeager said.
Kelsey Anderson is also seeded in the top-8 in both the 200 freestyle, while Maddie Mershon is seeded No. 8 in the 100 freestyle. Maggie Michael is seeded No. 3 in the 200 individual medley with a time of 2:31.7, and second in the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:05.86.
“I have several girls that have a chance to get into finals, we are hoping to see those girls push through into the finals, we obviously want the girls that are already seeded in top 8 to maintain their seed,” Yeager added. “I also have several that are on the bubble for top 16 that I would like to see push into and get a second swim Saturday. And of course we are looking for our time drops.”
Fountain Central’s Tyler Bowling is seeded No. 3 in the 200 freestyle with a time of 2:08, and fourth in the 500 freestyle with a time of 5:54.38. Paityn Krout is seeded sixth in the 100 butterfly.
Prelims start at 5:30 p.m. tonight at Crawfordsville.
