Tigers Primed, Warriors Promising After Prelims
Warsaw has set itself up nicely to compete for a sectional title at its own girls swim sectional, while Wawasee is likely chasing individual glory at Concord.
At Warsaw
The Tigers are set up beautifully to claim a team title at the Warsaw Girls Swimming Sectional this Saturday after a huge preliminary round Thursday. Warsaw claimed six top seeds heading into the finals, led by two each from Brenna Morgan and Delaney Wihebrink.
Morgan is the top seed in the 50 (24.61) and the 100 (54.32) freestyles in her quest to three-peat as champion in both events. Wihebrink heads up the individual medley (2:16.54) and the backstroke (1:00.71). Laurel Moeller has the top 200 time (2:07.38) and Lauren Kuhl will pace the 500 free (5:45.40).
Overall, Warsaw has 13 swimmers in championship races as well as all three of its relays. The medley and 200 free relays are two-seeds and the 400 free is a three-seed.
Tippecanoe Valley will have just two individuals qualified to swim Saturday. Kate Gunter qualified third in the fly and made consolations in the 50 free while Lea Stouder was eighth in the breaststroke and also qualified for the 50 consoles.
At Concord
Wawasee won’t be able to challenge Northridge for the team title as several of its depth swimmers failed to qualify in the top 16 at Concord Thursday night, but the Warriors will have challengers to the throne.
Paige Miller is set up for a big day Saturday, sitting as the top seed in the 200 free at 1:57.20 and second in the 500 free. Northridge’s Katie Hughes is right there, second in the 200 and first in the 500 as the two continue to be the class of the area in the two events.
Mikala Mawhorter, Kayla Hershberger and Madi McBride all qualified for two championship swims each and Shelby Adams holds the four-seed in what could be a very competitive breaststroke final.
The Warriors have 10 swimmers in championship lanes plus all three of its relays in an effort to possibly catch a title or state cut.
Northridge is set up nicely to repeat as sectional champion, placing 20 of its 24 individuals in championship swims and its four others in consolations. All three of its relays are top seeds heading into the finals and the Raiders boast of three of the Northern Lakes Conference’s top divers heading into Saturday’s prelims and finals.
Diving prelims at both sites begin at 9 a.m. and finals will take place during the swim finals, which get underway at 1 p.m. Swim event champions plus state cut qualifiers will advance to the IHSAA Girls Swimming State Finals next Friday. The top four divers will advance to regionals next Tuesday at Mishawaka.