By Greg Keim
Goshen High School boys and girls swimming teams are tired, but that hasn’t stopped Coach Scott Garvin from being impressed by their performances.
The Lady Redskins won seven individual events and two relays for a 103-82 win over Mishawaka while the GHS boys captured eight races and all three relays during a 129-57 victory Thursday in Goshen.
“I’m pleased with where we are,” the coach said. “We are right where I want us to be. We had some personal bests and that is after having about an hour long practice this morning.
“A lot of coaches have two-a-day practices during the week, but I’m not sure how many have one the day of a meet. Morning workouts are not as long, just more intense.”
Goshen’s girls (4-8) and boys (8-3) visits Elkhart Memorial Saturday beginning at 9:15 a.m.
Senior Mia Miller and junior Kayla Hussey were double winners for the GHS girls.
Miller finished first in the 50 (25.35) and 100-yard (55.72) freestyles, Hussey the 200 (2:06.28) and 500 (5:23.94) frees.
This is Hussey’s first year of high school swimming.
“She swam club before,” Garvin said. “Some people she swam with in club are on the team and she decided to try it this year.”
Other winners for the girls were senior Emily Wilfong 100 backstroke (1:10.47), sophomore Julie Jesse diving (178.25 points) and freshman Mackenzie Bilbrey 200 individual medley (2:33.92).
Miller, Wilfong, Hussey and senior Bekah Vikovich took the 200 free relay (1:51.14); Miller, Hussey, Vukovich and junior Jordan Bontrager the 400 free (4:02.31).
Miller had been swimming the anchor leg, but Thursday led off, giving the Redskins leads in both relays.
“Mia is such a competitor she is going to get us a lead,” Garvin said. “We are searching for the right combinations to give us the best chance.”
Freshman Laura Olivo finished third in the 500 free (6:35.10) for the Redskins.
“She had never swam the 500 before, but had one of our better times,” Garvin said.
Senior Andrew Podgorski won the 50 free (23.17) and 100 breaststroke (1:03.10) and freshman Adam Bratten the 200 IM (2:12.11) and 100 backstroke (59.84) for the boys.
Junior Tyler Wynn captured the 100 free (54.29), junior Jason Yoder the 500 free (5:25.04), sophomore Ryan Long diving (220.10) and sophomore Alex Podgorski the 200 free (1:59.15).
“Yoder’s time in the 500 was a personal best,” Garvin said.
Bratten, Andrew Podgorski, freshman Daniel Swihart and Wynn finished first in the 200 medley relay (1:48.51); Andrew Podgorski, junior Taylor Haviland, junior Connor Haviland and Wynn the 200 free relay (1:35.83); Bratten, Alex Podgorski, Connor Haviland and junior Addison Christner the 400 free relay (3:43.35).
