BNL’s Gabhart advances to butterfly, backstroke consolation races

INDIANAPOLIS – BNL’s Dustin Haltom, Oliver Brown, Carson Puckett and Garrett Gabhart competed in the IHSAA state finals on Friday night. Courtesy photo

INDIANAPOLIS – Bedford North Lawrence senior Garrett Gabhart advanced to the consolation finals in the 100-yard butterfly and 100 backstroke during the IHSAA state championship preliminaries at IU Indianapolis on Friday night.

Gabhart, who was seeded seventh after setting a school record in the butterfly during the sectional, posted a time of 50.95 to finish 16th in the field of 32 competitors. The top eight in each event qualified for the state championship race, while places 9-16 advanced to the consolation.

In the backstroke, Gabhart matched his seeding, earning a tie for 13th in 51.07 while shaving .36 seconds off his sectional time.

BNL’s 400 freestyle relay team of Oliver Brown, Carson Puckett, Dustin Haltom and Gabhart finished 30th in 3:25.37.

Action in the finals at the Natatorium will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday.