By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Bedford North Lawrence celebrated its 50-year anniversary, honoring past athletes and coaches in the program, on Saturday. There’s been a lot of gold, with individual state champions and team sectional titles, through the years.
Columbus North took home the glitter, sweeping meets with the Stars. The Bull Dogs won the boys meet 96-83, while the girls posted a 112-68 triumph. That did not detract from the celebration.
“I love our alumni meet,” BNL coach Adam Young said. “It’s a lot of emotion. It’s been 50 years, and when you do the numbers through the years, about half the time we’ve brought home a title in the conference or sectional. It says what kind of solid program we’ve had.”
In the boys meet, Oliver Brown added to the luster with two wins. He took the 50-yard freestyle in 24.19, then touched first in the 100 free in 55.48. He also anchored the winning 400 free relay, joining Dustin Haltom, Logan Langley and Carson Puckett to clock 3:55.89.
Puckett had the other BNL win, cranking out 1:08.9 in the 100 backstroke. Young pointed out Cameron Irwin, for his effort in the 200 free and 500 free.
“Cameron Irwin, every meet, delivers,” Young said. “He seems to have a machine that just cranks. Carson Puckett had a huge day. We had a lot of good swims, as always.”
In the girls meet, Ava Lipp won the lone individual event winner for BNL. She claimed the 100 backstroke in 1:05.18. She teamed with Cookie King, Mia Manke and Emma Heinzman to record a win in the 400 free relay (4:16.92).
“Ava and Cookie show up and always deliver,” Young said.
Honored visitors among the alumni included former state champion Eric Robinson and former head coach Larry Zoller.
BNL will visit Jasper to face the Wildcats and Jeffersonville on Dec. 28.
