On February 20th and February 22nd, the HSE boys swimming and diving team competed in the IHSAA Prelims and Sectionals at Hamilton Southeastern High School. The team ended up placing 2nd overall and are sending 11 swimmers to State prelims on February 28th and are sending one diver to Regionals on the 25th.
In prelims the whole variety roster for sectionals swims and has to qualify, the top 16 make it back for sectionals finals but that are split into 2 different groups A heat and B heat. Those who place top 8 are grouped into the A Final Heat and those who placed below 8th in Prelims compete in the B Final Heat.
There were 11 teams being represented at Sectionals the top four being Fishers, HSE, Pendleton Heights and Yorktown. This marks the beginning of competition season for the boys’ varsity team, meaning everyone needs to be focused and prepared for their events. The HSE Natatorium was erupting with energy and anticipation from the audience as the swimmers lined up for the first event.
The rest of the swim team including the girls’ team that had already completed their state was in attendance to support and encourage the HSE boys while they compete against skilled swimmers.
A highlight moment from Sectionals was the HSE boys 200 medley relay broke a pool, school and sectional record with a time of 1:32.47. The swimmers in this relay were seniors Jihoon Jung, Collin Huston, Derek Robison, and Jacob Frey, the relay team placed first in the event as well. The 500 free also had three freshman swimmers were able to go under 5 minutes, first time in school history.
Overall Prelims and Sectionals was both challenging and rewarding for the boys HSE swimming and diving team and helped them with more preparations for state and the schools they will go up against again on March 1st.
