Bulldogs expect a challenge
Source: Indianapolis Star ()
Close competition and high intensity are anticipated today in the Hendricks County swimming meet at Brownsburg.
The host Bulldogs are the defending boys and girls champions, but they expect heat from last year’s runner-up Plainfield.
“I expect high intensity all day in both meets because of the rivalries,” said second-year Brownsburg coach Josh Saylor. “Our girls team is very deep, but our boys team is in transition because of graduation losses.”
The boys meet could be decided in the 400-yard freestyle relay, the 12th and final event. Last year, Brownsburg’s 1-2-4 finish in the backstroke propelled the boys to a 39-point win over Plainfield. The margin in the girls meet was 54 points over the Quakers.
In the boys meet, Brownsburg senior Aric Franzman is a returning double champion (individual medley and breaststroke). Matt Minkner is the defending 50 free champ.
“Every team has strong players and knows they need every point they can get,” Saylor said. “We will need break-out swims to defend our championship (because) Plainfield is strong, Avon can’t be overlooked and Danville has guys who can really swim.”
Plainfield has defending champions in four events: sophomore Michael Mohler (200 free, 500 free), senior Tyler Clingerman (diving) and senior Eron Cavanaugh (100 free).
Tri-West sophomore John Van Dyke is favored in the butterfly and will challenge Mohler in the 500 free. Avon sophomore Josh Miller is Franzman’s No. 1 competition. Cascade’s Joel Fisher is a threat in the 50 free and 100 free.
Danville is looking for top finishes from juniors Nathan Laforney (butterfly) and Richie Lefler (breaststroke, individual medley) plus freshman Cody Buchanan (backstroke).
Cascade is led by senior Joe Macri (butterfly, backstroke) and junior Teddy Clunie (individual medley).
In the girls meet, Claire Partlow (200 free, 500 free) and senior Valerie Jones (breaststroke) are among five Brownsburg girls …