BEDFORD – Bedford North Lawrence split dual meets with New Albany during high school swimming action on Saturday.
The Star took the boys win by a 113-72 count, while the Bulldogs prevailed in the girls meet 98-83.
In the boys meet, Cole Baker and Hayden Puckett were double winners for BNL. Baker splashed to the wall first in the 50-yard freestyle (22.31) and 100 free (50.17), while Puckett took the 200 free (2:02.79) and 500 free (5:42.66).
Garrett Gabhart won the 100 backstroke (57.73), and the Stars also swept the relays. Gabhart, Isaiah Eicle, Baker and Puckett won the 200 medley relay (1:46.59), and that foursome teamed to win the 400 free relay in 3:29.28. BNL also claimed the 200 free relay as Jayden Duke, Carson Puckett, Oliver Brown, and Ashton Borodach-Mullis clocked 1:52.50.
“Kade Bailey is the boys performer of the meet,” BNL coach Adam Young said. “He dislocated his pinkie toe on his second dive. Got it put back in place and finished all his dives. Frankly, we could use some of that toughness on both the girls and boys teams in some spots.
“We had swimmers that went faster in practice yesterday than they did today which is unacceptable. We have a ways to go where grit, toughness and determination are concerned. The ability to dig deep when it is most difficult is the difference when it comes time for championships whether, HHC, sectional or state.
In the girls meet, Emma Gabhart and Shelby Slaughter were double winners for the Stars. Gabhart took the 50 free (25.72) and 100 free (56.01) while Slaughter claimed the 200 free (2:13.67) and 500 free (6:04.51).
Cooke King touched first in the 100 butterfly (1:09.80), and she was a member of two victorious relays. She combined with Ava Lipp, Gabhart and Slaughter to take the 200 medley in 2:02.75, then joined with that same trio to win the 400 free relay in 4:11.30.
“Amelia Rich continues to improve at a high rate and I really can’t wait to see what she is able to do at the end of the season,” Young said. “Best times in all of her swims today. I would put her down as the girls performer of the meet.
“We still have a ways to go this season but Christmas break is right around the corner and with it comes the most intense part of the season where training is concerned. PRs will be harder to come by. Our meet Tuesday against Jennings Co. and Saturday against Columbus North will be critical in seeing just where we are as we get into the toughest part of the season. We have to be able to come up with big swims when they are needed and not just when we feel great.”
BNL will host Jennings County on Tuesday.
