JASPER – Bedford North Lawrence earned five top seeds during the IHSAA sectional preliminary races on Thursday night at Jasper.
The Stars posted the best times in two relays and three individual events. They will compete in the finals on Saturday at 1 p.m. The winners in each event will automatically qualify for the state finals at IUPUI on Feb. 25-26.
BNL’s Cole Baker claimed the top spot in the 100-yard backstroke in 56.29, Trey Kimbley recorded the top time in the 500 freestyle in 5:14.22, and Alexander Swenson cruised to the wall in 2:06.97 in the 200 individual medley.
The Stars also took the pole position in the 200 medley relay (with Baker, Garrett Henson, Swenson and John Allen) in 1:42.86, then grabbed the top spot in the 400 free relay (with Swenson, Kimbley, Baker and Allen) in 3:23.60.
“We needed a perfect night to set up our chances for Saturday and we darn near got it,” BNL coach Adam Young said. “Big swims were everywhere. In fact I would be hard pressed to come up with a bad swim. I don’t think we had one. That’s how it needed to be for us to have a chance to upset Jasper (for the team title). We are now in striking distance and have more opportunities to move up Saturday.”
South Knox’s Jacob Siewers is the top seed in the 100 free (47.69) and 50 free (21.54).
