Published: December 17, 2007 11:37 pm            

PREP ROUNDUP: WHS swimmers split at Mac

Kokomo girls end spin with hoops win at Peru

The Western Panthers boys swim team went on the road and lost a close one to Maconaquah, 95-9, Monday night.

Western had just three winners in the meet — Russell Showers (50-yard freestyle, :23.91), Mathias Timberman (diving, 179.40) and Mitch Hill (100 breast stroke, 1:10.70).

“Being able to win three events, and still being able to be within four points shows how our boys swam as a team,” Western coach Brad Bennett said. “If Maconaquah got a first, then we would get a second, third and fourth. They weren’t able to stretch the lead out. We tied the score in diving, and the score remained tied until after the 500 freestyle when they took a two point lead. We had to go first and third in the 400 freestyle relay, or first to tie it, but we got second and third.”

Kokomo 122, Logansport 61

The Katfish showed its power over North Central Conference foe Logansport by winning 11 of 12 events.

“We were supposed to have a meet Saturday, but because of the weather it was canceled,” Kokomo coach Brian Hindson said. “Coming into [Monday], it’s right before finals, but we swam well.”

Tylor Gauger led the way for Kokomo as a quadruple winner. Gauger won the 200-yard freestyle (1:49.21) and 100 backstroke (:57.0).

Gauger teamed with Alex Baxter, Dominic Cognata and Justin Whalen to win the 200 medley relay (1:53.44), and Gauger, Whalen, Baxter were joined by John Frey to win the 400 freestyle relay (3:38.15). Frey also teamed with Ian Holtson, Mitchell Gauger and Billy Bersbach to win the 200 freestyle relay (1:41.68).

Whalen and Frey were triple winners. Individually, Whalen won the 100 freestyle (:53.78), and Frey was tops in the 500 freestyle (5:24.69).

Cognata, Mitchell Gauger and Matt Arney were double winners. Cognata won the 100 butterfly (1:02.76). Mitchell Gauger was the top diver (242.80), and Arney won the 200 individual medley (2:21.57) and 100 breast stroke (1:10.00).

GIRLS SWIMMING

Western 116, Maconaquah 66

The Panthers swam all over a strong Maconaquah team by winning 10 of 12 events.

“We swam well,” Western coach Brad Bennett said. “Maconaquah’s girls are a little stronger than last year.”

Kait Flederbach led Western as a quadruple winner. Flederbach won in the 200 freestyle (2:02.50) and 100 freestyle (:54.05). Morgan Oilar, Rae Andrews, Brittany Pinson joined Flederbach to win the 200 medley relay (2:03.76), and Flederbach, Oilar, Callie Swigart and Chelsea Weber teamed to win the 400 freestyle relay (4:05.73).

Oilar, Andrews, Weber and Swigart were triple winners. Individually, Oilar won in the 100 backstroke (1:10.59). Andrews was first in the 100 butterfly (1:09.02). Weber was tops in the 500 freestyle (6:09.30) and Swigart took the 100 breast stroke (1:20.15). Kelsey Durr won the diving (203.15).

Andrews, Swigart, Weber joined Pinson to win the 200 freestyle relay (1:54.74).

“Swigart swam well [Monday],” Bennett added. “She had two of the closest races all night. She did well in the breast stroke to win it. Durr also had a nice night and Taylor Dukes had a season best in diving by 10 points for 138.50.”

Logansport 107, Kokomo 78

Katie Hingst was a double winner for Kokomo in its meet against Logansport. Hingst won in the 200 individual medley (2:14.16) and 100 backstroke (1:02.83), and the Katfish swept the diving competition. Kokomo’s Brittany Gauger won it (196.65). Rachel Pace was second, and Brooke Lott was third.

“We had a lot of girls show improvement,” Kokomo coach Brian Hindson said. “Laura Aleshire placed second in the 500 freestyle and came back two events later in the 100 breast stroke for a fourth place finish. We kind of knew that Logansport was coming in undefeated. They are a conference rival, and we swam really well in keeping the meet close.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Kokomo 73, Peru 37

After three stinging close losses to some of the state’s better Class 4A teams, Kokomo took out their frustrations on Peru Monday night at the Tig-Arena.

Senior guard Kayla Drake turned in her most productive game of the season, hitting 10 of 15 shots from the field en route to a season-high 26 points. Drake added seven rebounds, four assists and had just one turnover.

Coach Jason Snyder was pleased with his team’s effort.

“We’ve had good effort all season and we’ve had long spurts of very solid play in games,” he said. “But in this game, we got 32 minutes of good execution and that was big for us.

“Kayla was just good all-around. She shot the ball very well, but she was also very solid on the defensive end.”

Aelleon Woodard also turned in an impressive performance, scoring 14 points on 7 of 10 shooting, while adding seven rebounds. Katie Zunick (8 points, 7 rebounds) and Kelly Hopkins (9 points, 5 boards) also showed up well inside.

“Our post play was excellent,” Snyder said. “The guards also did a great job of getting [the post players] the ball where they could finish.”

Shakeeta Cotton turned in a game-high eight assists and Abby Hemmeger scored seven points.

Allison Greene led the 2-10 Tigers with 12 points.

Kokomo improved to 7-4 and is off until after the holidays.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.