Now that the regular season is behind them, Seymour’s girls swimming and diving team will primarily focus on what they’ve worked toward all year: sectionals.
The Owls wrapped up their 2017-18 campaign with wins against Trinity Lutheran (132-12) and Providence (129-41) on Monday.
Since the Owls went to a dual at Columbus East this past Thursday, and then ventured to the Hoosier Hills Conference meet Saturday, Seymour High School coach Dave Boggs had each of his swimmers swim just two events.
Due to the weather, the Owls were forced to re-configure their schedule over the past two weeks.
“We couldn’t swim Friday (Jan. 12), Saturday or Monday because of the weather,” Boggs said. “Tuesday and Wednesday were optional. A lot of the girls were out of the water for a while. They then had a meet Thursday, Saturday and today. They’re swimming pretty well. They almost have a jump start to the taper. I’m pretty encouraged right now by what I’m seeing.”
Seymour won eight events Monday while Trinity’s Rachel Sabotin took a pair and Providence won one race and the diving.
The Owls opened the meet by winning the 200 medley relay, as Elizabeth Hartman, Macy Williams, Kirby Hill and Macy Traylor combined for 2-minutes, 24.25-seconds.
Matti Hague took the 200 freestyle in 2:24.37 before Sabotin won the 200 individual medley in 2:12.39.
Molly Hayes clocked 28.03 for the Owls in the 50 freestyle before Sabotin claimed the 100 butterfly in 1:00.94.
The 100 freestyle went to Hague (1:05.17) and Mary Kate Pritchett followed up by winning the 500 freestyle (6:05.47).
Marcegui Vasquez, Ameltitz Vasquez, Sandy Cerino and Natalia Garcia combined for 1:59.33 to win the 200 freestyle relay.
The Owls’ Katie Turner, who recently committed to swimming at the University of Evansville, won the 100 breaststroke in 1:18.80 for the Owls.
Pritchett, Hayes, Turner and Cherish Bryant concluded the meet by winning the 400 freestyle relay in 4:26.65.
“Everybody swam two events tonight,” Boggs said. “Some were some special races we set up. (Monday) was the last chance for sectional entries, so this was it. They know everything is based on times, and that’s the beauty of swimming. Times don’t lie.”
The Owls’ girls program finished 10-5 during the season, which made making it 24 straight years that the team has finished with a winning record.
Prior to the meet, the Owls’ seniors from both the boys’ and girls’ teams were recognized for their time with the program.
“Like every coach says, in every sport, (the seniors) have been the backbone of our program,” Boggs said. “They’re leaders for us in the pool, in the weight room, dry land and in the school. They will be sadly missed next year.”
The girls’ sectional will commence Feb. 1 before the finals Feb. 3.
“We’re going to rest,” Boggs said. “The work is over. It’s time to rest and do any last minute touch-ups and make sure their heads are screwed on right. We have a nice process we got through to get ready for sectionals.”