INDIANAPOLIS
So close. The Seymour boys swimmers had their aim focused on a new school record in the 400-yard relay, but came within a splash of achieving the goal.
The quartet of Owls that was the team’s main representative in the Indiana High School Athletic Association Swimming & Division Championships at the Indiana University Natatorium Friday fell short by of the mark by .9 seconds.
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The preliminary time of 3 minutes, 16.84 seconds ended the season for Paul Montgomery, Clay Greenawalt, Bryce Miller and Pedro Cerino. It was also the last swim of Miller’s high school career on a busy day for the senior who was the squad’s only individual qualifier, too.
Miller raced in the 50-yard freestyle, finishing in 21.91 seconds, and the 100 freestyle, finishing in 48.62. Neither were personal bests, but both were close, and coach Dave Boggs said Miller is high on the all-time school list in both events.
“I would have loved to be a second better,” Miller said of the relay performance.
Finals were scheduled for today in the famed pool that had nearly as many rules in place to follow because of the COVID-19 pandemic as a prison. But what was really missed by the competitors was the lack of energy typically produced by roaring crowds that make the Natatorium shake.
“I missed the audience,” Miller said.
That was a common theme among the swimmers.
“Without the cheering crowd it felt a little silent,” Montgomery said.
There were restrictions about who was allowed on deck, where swimmers could sit and walk, and no spectators at all were allowed in. Boggs suggested at a coach’s meeting the other day the meet should pump in cheering sounds or music in the manner professional sports teams have done over the last year, but his idea was rejected.
Fans were not permitted at Seymour home meets this year, either, and Boggs and the athletes were grateful they completed the season without interruption from the virus.
The huge scoreboard at one end of the pool put the swimmers’ names in lights, but there was no one to read them except for other swimmers.
“It’s kind of hard to get into a racing mode,” Greenawalt said.
There was more noise for the relays than for individual events. Teammates yelled for their partners as they created waves with big splashes. The relay put Montgomery out in the first leg and his 100 was 49.22. He was followed by Greenawalt in 50.72, Miller in 49.20 and Cerino in 47.70, though Cerino said he lost his rhythm.
“The last 25 I really messed up,” he said, although he did have a fast time.
Advancing to state requires a top showing at sectionals and just being in the field is a tall challenge.
“It took a lot of work to get here,” Montgomery said.
Greenawalt is a junior, Montgomery a sophomore and Cerino a freshman with lofty goals who hopes to set school records in the 100 butterfly and 100 freestyle and as part of the 400 relay next year. Miller will be the missing piece.
“Next man up,” Boggs said. “Who’s going to take Bryce’s spot?”
Until two years ago, Miller was a distance swimmer and Boggs said his transformation into a sprinter was a grand success.
“Just how he’s grown, physically, and as a swimmer,” Boggs said.
However, Miller said although he plans to continue swimming, he has no plans to continue competing as he continues his education.
“I’m not going to swim in college,” Miller said. “I’m not getting up at 5 a.m. for the next four years.”
Still, swimming has been a big part of his life and Miller said he will miss being immersed in the sport.
“I will,” he said. “I definitely will.”