INDIANAPOLIS
Missing the cut for the Saturday’s finals by less than two seconds, Seymour’s 200-yard freestyle relay team left IUPUI’s Natatorium with their heads held high Friday.
Making their second state finals appearance in three years, there were no complaints from seniors Sarah Montgomery, Nastya Yakovlyeva and Kenzie Persinger and junior Katie Turner.
They were just happy to be competing.
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With a time of 1:40.01, the foursome finished 23rd overall in the event. Oak Hill, which finished in 1:38.12, was the last team to make today’s consolation finals.
“I think we did really well; it wasn’t what we did in the sectional but it was state,” Persinger said, noting the added pressure.
Added Yakovlyeva, “I felt we did the best that we could with what we were given. We raced our best and definitely tried to keep up with everyone.”
Montgomery, although far from upset, said the team could have practiced their starts a little more prior to the meet.
“It was just a really great way to end the season, being here (at IUPUI),” she said.
Also from the area, Trinity Lutheran freshman Rachel Sabotin made a splash at her first state finals meet and will be back at IUPUI today.
Finishing in 17th in the 200-yard freestyle on Friday, Sabotin literally missed a chance to swim in today’s consolation finals by the blink of an eye. By 0.03 seconds, Sabotin (1:53.10) finished right behind Jacklyn Bontrager (1:53.07) of Valparaiso.
She will be an alternate in the event if anyone scratches.
In the 500-yard freestyle, the rookie made up for the close call in the 200 free, finishing fourth overall in her heat in 5:00.75. That time would be good enough to put her 11th overall in the event.
Sabotin entered the meet seeded 16th in the 200-yard freestyle and 13th in the 500-yard freestyle.
The top 16 swimmers in each event during Friday’s preliminary rounds will return for competition today, with the top eight individuals battling for state championship honors.
Individuals finishing nine through 16 on Friday will make up the competitors in the consolation heats.