Three local youth swimmers from the Seymour Swim Club competed in the Indiana Swimming Swim fest at the IU Indianapolis Natatorium last weekend, for the chance to compete in North Dakota at the Central Zone 14 & Under Championships next month.

Tait Birdsong scored 58 points. Racking up three top-five finishes in her performances. Birdsong finished third in the girls 10 & under 50-meter freestyle with a time of 31.60.

She also finished fourth in the 200-meter freestyle clocking a time of 2:35.27. She secured fifth in the 100-meter freestyle with a time of 1:11.28 and also finished sixth with a 36.27 in the 50-meter butterfly.

Birdsong spoke about her performance last weekend.

“I went in thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, all these girls have been here before and competed here before’,” Birdsong said. “I went out the first day and was able to get a medal. I was really proud of myself for being able to get one.”

The performance qualified Birdsong to compete in the Team Indiana Central Zone 14 & Under Championships, which take place in West Fargo, North Dakota, in August.

Tait made the cut to be on Team Indiana and mentioned she’s excited to be a part of the team. She spoke about the chance to compete in the regional competition.

“I honestly have no idea what to expect. I’ve never been there before,” Birdsong said. “I’m looking forward to the experience and seeing how well I can do.”

Birdsong is the first Team Indiana representative from Seymour since Pedro Cerino Rico in 2021.

The Team Indiana Central Zone meet consists of the best kids from eight different states. Those territories include Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Lake Erie, Michigan, Midwestern, Minnesota, Missouri Valley, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ozark, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Birdsong spoke about trying out multiple sports before ending up choosing swimming.

“I just love everything about swimming in general and have always loved it since I was little,” Birdsong said. “I tried everything back then, basketball, tennis, baseball, softball and swimming has just been the one I enjoy the most.”

The 10-year-old mentioned she is hoping to continue improving on her times as she gets older.

Conner Schafer and Max Reinhart also competed in the 14 & Under events throughout the past weekend. Schafer competed in six events. He finished 18th in the 100-meter backstroke and 1500-meter freestyle.

Schafer secured 19th place in the 200-meter backstroke and 22nd in the 100-meter butterfly. He placed 34th in the 100-meter freestyle and 41st in the 50-meter freestyle.

Each of these performances were lifetime bests in terms of time. He spoke about his weekend at the state competition.

“Competing at the state meet, it’s kind of overwhelming because there is a lot going on there,” Schafer said. “I’ve swam there for four years now, and it’s a lot of fun once you get past the nerves. I really enjoyed my last trip there.”

Max Reinhart competed in one event, finishing 25th in the 200-meter butterfly.

“It’s really overwhelming with everything and everyone that is there,” Reinhart said. “You start to realize that everyone there is one of the best and really good at swimming, and you have to swim as hard as you can.”

Reinhart and Schafer now come to high school swimming for the Owls. Both kids spoke about what they are hoping to achieve this upcoming swimming season.

“I’m hoping to get top-three on the team to be able to compete in sectionals and continue to improve on my times throughout the year and this upcoming season,” Schafer said.

Reinhart shares the same goal of the postseason.

“I’m hoping to be in the top-three on my team in the 100-meter butterfly, so I can compete in sectionals,” Reinhart said. “I might be interested in competing in some other events as well.”

Both athletes spoke about Coach Boggs and how they enjoy swimming for him.

“I really like how Dave (Boggs) and my other coaches push me harder than how I want to be pushed,” Reinhart said. “I also just really enjoy swimming, it’s something I’ve always liked doing. I’ve always found it fun, but I started liking it more as I got older.”

“I enjoy swimming for Coach Boggs, he challenges us and makes us put in the work to get better,” Schafer said. “He helps us know what we are supposed to be doing to give us the best chance to be successful.”

Both athletes will continue gearing up for the winter high school swimming season, while Birdsong will prepare for the Central Zone Championships.

10 & under individual results

50-meter freestyle: 3, Tait Birdsong, 31.60.

100-meter freestyle: 5, Tait Birdsong, 1:11.28.

200-meter freestyle: 4, Tait Birdsong, 2:35.27, Team Indiana.

50-meter butterfly: 6, Tait Birdsong, 36.27.

14 and Under Individual Results

100-meter butterfly: 22, Conner Schafer, 1:06.16, Team Indiana.

200-meter butterfly: 25, Max Reinhart, 2:41.78, Team Indiana.

100-meter backstroke: 18, Conner Schafer, 1:07.92.

200-meter backstroke: 19, Conner Schafer, 2:31.00.

50-meter freestyle: 41, Conner Schafer, 28.02.

100-meter freestyle: 34, Conner Schafer, 1:00.62.

1500-meter freestyle: 18, Conner Schafer, 18:36.25.