Local Swimmers Set For State
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
NAPPANEE - According to her coach, Mary Robertson, it's no fluke or suprise that Julia Warnken is swimming in the state finals tonight.
The NorthWood freshman will compete in three events at the state finals to be held at the University of Indianapolis' natatorium, the 100 butterfly, 200 individual medley and with her sister Jessica as well as Jessica Doriot and Rachel Eaton in the 400 freestyle relay.
"We were pretty sure she'd make it," said Robertson. "We expected it, she's very fluid. She's the most dedicated girl on the team. Maybe not the most dedicated to get in the water first but she'll finish her warmup routine first. She just has a lot of ability in the water."
Warnken's time in the 200 IM was seven seconds faster than the rest of the field at the Penn Swimming Sectionals but Robertson thinks her stronger event will be the 100 butterfly.
"She's seeded second in the 100 butterfly," said Robertson. "And she's seeded fourth in the 200 individual medley. I think the butterfly is definately her stronger event."
Just the fact that she's going as a freshman is impressive. And yet Robinson said in a phone conversation Thursday afternoon that this might not be the biggest event she's swam in.
"I don't know what to expect from her," said Robertson. "She's been to nationals and a lot bigger events than this. She has to stay focused and enjoy it. She needs to go down there with the idea of having fun."
No matter what happens, Warnken can look back at this as a learning experience and a building block for next year's tournament; after all, she's only a freshman.
"If she doesn't do as well as she'd like there's always next year," said Robertson. "She'll come back and work hard over the summer and go for it for the next three years."
Three other local schools will have swimmers in the state meet.
Warsaw's Katie Beehler won the 100 backstroke at the Warsaw Sectional with her time of 1:02.13. Her time was three seconds ahead of the field.
Wawasee will send the team of Lauras -ÊLaura Karns, Laura Lundin, Laura Coutinho -Êas well as Jenny Butt to swim in the 200 and 400 freestyle relays. Karns will also swim in the 200 freestyle. Coutinho will swim in the 100 freestyle.
Tippecanoe Valley's 200 medley relay team of Hilary Vanlaningham, Amber Drudge, Kyleigh Gast and Angela Weller will compete in the state meet after winning the Warsaw Sectional with their time of 1:59.61.
The preliminary round of the state final will begin tonight at 6 p.m. The diving competition will be at 9 a.m. Saturday. Consolation and final rounds for swimming events will be at 1 p.m. Saturday. [[In-content Ad]]
NAPPANEE - According to her coach, Mary Robertson, it's no fluke or suprise that Julia Warnken is swimming in the state finals tonight.
The NorthWood freshman will compete in three events at the state finals to be held at the University of Indianapolis' natatorium, the 100 butterfly, 200 individual medley and with her sister Jessica as well as Jessica Doriot and Rachel Eaton in the 400 freestyle relay.
"We were pretty sure she'd make it," said Robertson. "We expected it, she's very fluid. She's the most dedicated girl on the team. Maybe not the most dedicated to get in the water first but she'll finish her warmup routine first. She just has a lot of ability in the water."
Warnken's time in the 200 IM was seven seconds faster than the rest of the field at the Penn Swimming Sectionals but Robertson thinks her stronger event will be the 100 butterfly.
"She's seeded second in the 100 butterfly," said Robertson. "And she's seeded fourth in the 200 individual medley. I think the butterfly is definately her stronger event."
Just the fact that she's going as a freshman is impressive. And yet Robinson said in a phone conversation Thursday afternoon that this might not be the biggest event she's swam in.
"I don't know what to expect from her," said Robertson. "She's been to nationals and a lot bigger events than this. She has to stay focused and enjoy it. She needs to go down there with the idea of having fun."
No matter what happens, Warnken can look back at this as a learning experience and a building block for next year's tournament; after all, she's only a freshman.
"If she doesn't do as well as she'd like there's always next year," said Robertson. "She'll come back and work hard over the summer and go for it for the next three years."
Three other local schools will have swimmers in the state meet.
Warsaw's Katie Beehler won the 100 backstroke at the Warsaw Sectional with her time of 1:02.13. Her time was three seconds ahead of the field.
Wawasee will send the team of Lauras -ÊLaura Karns, Laura Lundin, Laura Coutinho -Êas well as Jenny Butt to swim in the 200 and 400 freestyle relays. Karns will also swim in the 200 freestyle. Coutinho will swim in the 100 freestyle.
Tippecanoe Valley's 200 medley relay team of Hilary Vanlaningham, Amber Drudge, Kyleigh Gast and Angela Weller will compete in the state meet after winning the Warsaw Sectional with their time of 1:59.61.
The preliminary round of the state final will begin tonight at 6 p.m. The diving competition will be at 9 a.m. Saturday. Consolation and final rounds for swimming events will be at 1 p.m. Saturday. [[In-content Ad]]