MT. VERNON – Bedford North Lawrence won every event while powering to the team title in the Mt. Vernon Invitational during boys high school swimming action on Saturday.
The Stars totaled 486 points in the five-team field, followed by Mt. Vernon (226), Tell City (204), Vincennes Lincoln (135) and Evansville Christian (129).
In the six-team girls meet, BNL was third with 226 points. Mt. Vernon won the event with 425, followed by Tell City (359), BNL, Vincennes Lincoln (114), Evansville Christian (100) and South Knox (29).
Hayden Puckett, Cole Baker, Isaiah Eicle and Garrett Gabhart were all double winners for the Stars in the boys meet. Puckett claimed the 200-yard freestyle (1:57.81) and 500 free (5:28.90). Baker touched first in the 50 free (21.50) and 100 free (48.80). Eicle took the 200 individual medley (2:15.48) and 100 breaststroke (1:09.53), and Gabhart won the 100 butterfly (59.02) and 100 backstroke (59.66).
Puckett combined with Logan Langley, Isaiah Conner and Jayden Duke to win the 200 medley relay (2:03.72), while Gabhart, Eicle and Baker teamed with Trey Kimbley to take the 200 free relay (1:34.31) and 400 free relay (3:27.11). Jaevyn Nikirk was first in diving with 181.05 points.
“The boys were perfect,” BNL coach Adam Young said. “I haven’t ever seen that in a multi-team meet before. It’s especially encouraging since Mt. Vernon is a very good program and we had a few sectional teams there as well.
“Cole is really starting to come into form. He has worked very hard all season and I think his body is finally catching up to his work ethic. Hayden had a banner day with season-bests in the 500 and 200 for the second meet in a row. Our divers don’t get quite as much attention as they deserve, but they are really putting together a great season.”
In the girls meet, Emma Gabhart was the lone winner for the Stars, clocking 1:01.02 in the 100 butterfly. Shelby Slaughter was second in the 200 free (2:16.10), Cooke King was second in the 200 IM (2:37.92), Ava Lipp was runner-up in the 100 backstroke (1:09.96) and Gabhart was second in the 100 breaststroke (1:10.25). BNL was second in the 400 free and 200 medley relays.
“The meet was basically conference format, so both teams got some experience ahead of HHC,” Young said. “I am cautiously optimistic right now with our results. Make no mistake, both teams are doing very well. My concern is we are almost doing too well for this time of year. That said, we have been putting a lot of focus on stroke mechanics as well as taking some new approaches with training. Both teams have been sore from work in the weight room yet continue to put up excellent results. I think we could be in for something special as we head into championship season.”
BNL will visit Bloomington South on Tuesday.
