Virtual Aquatics / North swimmers will compete in unique conference format; East girls set for HHC – The Republic

When Columbus North competes in the Conference Indiana swimming and diving meet on Saturday, it will be a little different than most conference meets.

The meet will be a virtual one with the six schools swimming at three separate locations. Columbus North and Southport will compete at Southport, Bloomington North and Bloomington South will swim at Bloomington South and Terre Haute North and Terre Haute South will compete at Vigo County Aquatic Center.

Diving will begin at 9 a.m. at the three sites, and swimming will start at 10 a.m.

I think it will be unique, Columbus North coach Logan Schaefer said. Its new for everyone, but I also think it will provide a great opportunity for our team to bring the same energy and attitude that we want for this meet.

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The Bull Frog boys and girls will be looking to reclaim titles after finishing second last year. Bloomington North is the defending boys champion, and Bloomington South is the reigning girls champ.

The Columbus North boys have beaten both Bloomington schools and will enter the meet as favorites. The Bull Frogs are led by senior Indiana University recruit Christopher Lee, who is the defending conference champion in the 50-yard freestyle and 100 backstroke.

Lee, David Fry and Daniel Utterback were members of Columbus Norths victorious 200 medley and 200 freestyle relay teams last season.

We have a great understanding of what both of the Bloomington schools are bringing to the table this weekend, and our team has a great plan and mindset, Schaefer said. Our boys have a great opportunity, and honestly I think in this format, teams that were not counted on as favorites will have the opportunity to surprise some people. So I think our girls have the opportunity to do that.

The Bull Frog girls have struggled a little this year after losing their top three swimmers from last season the three who won events at the conference meet to college programs. They have been beaten by both Bloomington North and Bloomington South this season.

I think in the championship format of the meet, I think our girls are a little bit stronger due to the strength at the top of the events, Schaefer said. But well be looking for our second and third swimmers to score well to help us at our first championship meet of the year. The championship meets are always about the collection of swims as a team. Well have swims at the top, and well have swims in the middle, but it will be the collection of those efforts.

While the Bloomington schools will be able to push each other to go faster, Schaefer thinks Southport could give his teams a push.

Im confident Southport will step up and compete, Schaefer said. I dont see it as a disadvantage simply because all these kids at different sites will be competing to win the meet. That is the mindset that we have to bring, or we may be on the outside looking in.

Meanwhile the Columbus East girls will look for a top-two finish in the Hoosier Hills Conference meet Saturday at Floyd Central. The Olympians finished third behind Floyd Central and Jeffersonville last season.

Senior Marin Wieneke is the defending HHC champion in the 100 breaststroke. Ellie Proffitt, Karissa Miller and Wieneke return from the conference champion 400 freestyle relay team.

East was able to get back to competition for the first time in 3 1/2 weeks Tuesday in a win against HCC foe Madison.

It helped us make some decisions as far as where to put people in what events, East girls coach Jill Arnholt said. We needed to get back in here. We had been off for about a month.

The HHC boys meet will not take place until Jan. 30.

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Virtual Aquatics / North swimmers will compete in unique conference format; East girls set for HHC - The Republic

Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero