Swim Family Robinson...
Wawasee sisters ready for state finals
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Anthony [email protected]
After breezing through Saturday’s Concord Sectional, winning two individual events each and combining to win two relays, the Robinson sisters plan to carry that momentum to IUPUI’s Natatorium in Indianapolis.
Going into the state finals, which begin Friday night with prelims, Brittany is the top seed in the 100 fly (53.86) and No. 2 seed in the 100 back (56.17), while Breanna sits as the top seed in the 200 free (1:15.33) and third seed in the 100 free (51.26).
“I’m excited,” Brittany said about the state finals. “This week couldn’t go any slower. It’s going really slow.”
The trip to the state finals is Brittany’s fourth, having gone in the 50 free and 100 fly the previous three years.
In her previous appearances, her top finish was second in the 100 fly last year after going third in the same event as a sophomore.
Going in as the top seed this season, anything short of a championship would leave a very bad taste in her mouth.
“You probably won’t want to put me on the bus with anyone else, especially when looking at the other times,” Brittany said about winning the 100 fly. “It’s like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ With my 53 (seconds), I should win, and I’ll be really frustrated if I don’t – to put it in the best terms possible.”
While winning the 100 back is very much within her grasp, the 100 fly seems to be where most of her focus is going, as the second seed in the event is Crown Point freshman Aly Tetzloff, who clocked a time of 55.26 at sectionals.
Already sporting a time over a second faster than the second seed, Brittany is reaching for a title and more.
“This year, I want the state title and I want the state record,” she said.
Her seed time in the 100 fly is actually faster than 2008 Harrison (Lafayette)-graduate Jenny Connolly’s state record of 53.91, which was set at the 2008 state meet.
However, because she set her time of 53.86 at sectionals, it doesn’t count as a state record, and she may even be looking past a state record time, according to her mom/coach Julie Robinson.
“Brittany’s other goal is to go a 52, because if you go to college and swim that, you can swim in the NCAAs,” Julie said. “It’s a goal she’s had since the beginning of the season, to get down to that time.”
Brittany’s already signed on to swim at the University of Louisville next year, so a state title is the only thing really eluding her.
However, her younger sister is just getting started, and she will be experiencing her first state meet this year.
Even with her older sister being there the previous three years, Breanna has never been to the meet.
Instead of watching her sister in the state finals, Breanna was competing in an age group meet in Fort Wayne during the same weekend.
“I’ve heard a lot about it,” Breanna said about the state meet. “I kind of have an idea, but probably nothing compared to what it really is.”
Luckily for her, she has someone pretty close to her who can help describe what’s in store.
“My freshman year, I had been in big meets before, but you can’t duplicate the atmosphere and intensity of the state meet,” Brittany said. “With my experience, I think I can help her.”
To this point, the younger Robinson hasn’t been overwhelmed with anything in the pool, having lost just one race this season, that coming in the 200 free during the Northern Lakes Conference Championships at Concord on Jan. 14.
In that race, Northridge’s Brittney Walters took first place in 1:51.39, while Breanna came in second in 1:52.33.
Fast forward three weeks to Saturday’s sectional competition, Breanna showed her competitiveness, winning the 200 free in 1:50.33, setting a pool record, while Walters was second in 1:52.17.
While her competitiveness is obviously there, Breanna comes across as a happy-go-lucky freshman girl in high school.
However, once her race is approaching, a switch flips.
“I have to stay relaxed and almost not focused, in a way,” Breanna said about her pre-swim routine. “I have to keep myself from not tightening up, while Brittany is a ‘zone out’ everything (kind of competitor), because she’s in the moment.”
And Brittany can agree with that.
“I sleep on the bus and listen to my iPod,” Brittany said. “I tune everything else out.”
The girls say their both competitive, but in different ways, and mom is well aware of that.
“Brittany thrives on the big meet,” Julie said. “She thrives on the higher level of competition. When it’s on the line, she’s able to relax and do her best. Where, Bre just needs to swim her race.”
By swimming her race, Breanna has a pretty simplistic view of what she needs to do at state.
“Swim fast,” she said.
By swimming fast, Breanna may show Julie something exciting, especially in the 100 free, where she’s the third seed.
“I’m excited for that one because she didn’t really have a lot of competition to race at sectionals,” Julie said. “So, in her suit, I think that should be a good one.”
With both girls vying for two state championships each, Brittany will be unable to swim in the 200 free relay, as it takes place just one event prior to the 100 back.
Because of the quick turn around at swim meets, and the small margin of error at a state meet, Brittany’s doing the wise thing and focusing on the individual event.
“It’s too much of a risk,” Brittany said about swimming in the 200 free relay. “It is tough, because that relay is ranked ninth. I’m thinking, ‘We could have had an entire relay team medal at state.’ It’s selfish, but I’d rather have my state title in the 100 back.”
“If it wasn’t her senior year, it’d be different,” Julie said.
The events are also so tightly compacted that it may be hard for the girls to watch each other compete, as they prepare for their respective races.
However, they try to watch as much as they can.
“I’ll at least know your time,” Breanna told her sister in response to the question. “I’ll try to watch as much as possible. I have to 200 free relay, then the (100) back is next, so I should be able to get to that one, before the (400) relay. But I always try to watch.”
And with this being the only year her two daughters will be able to compete in the same state finals, Julie is also going to be soaking it all in.
“It’s so neat to see them together, with the experiences this year,” she said. “But it’s so heart breaking on the other side, knowing they only get this one year.”
With this being their lone season together, the Robinsons plan on doing something special, which along with championships, may even include a state record.
“Brittany was really ready for a big drop in her fly (time at sectionals),” Julie said. “She has been swimming faster than she ever has before. (In past years) at sectionals, she’d go in swimming 58 or 59, then drop to 55 at sectionals. So, with her swimming 56s (going into the sectional), I saw the natural drop I normally see. If it’s like last year, there’s another second she can drop down, which puts her at 52.”
Instead of concentrating on state records, Breanna’s going down wide-eyed, but excited.
“I almost feel like there’s a little less pressure as of now, but we’ll see what happens this weekend,” she said. “I’m pretty excited though.”
That excitement is good, but can also overcome some swimmers, who must first qualify for Saturday’s finals round.
Friday night, competitors swim in the prelims, with the top 16 advancing to the finals, the top eight in the championship heat and ninth to 16th in the consolation heat.
However, with the atmosphere surrounding the event, some swimmers let their emotions take over.
“If you look at the times, generally, three-fourths of the girls swim slower on Saturday,” Julie said. “On Friday night, you have to go out and give it everything you have. They’re used to swimming in a pyramid seeding, where they might be No. 1 and there may be one other girl as fast in their heat, but the entire eight lanes (at state) have your ability. It’s very intimidating. You have to be able to step up on the blocks and be able to swim your race and not get caught up in the excitement.”
If the Robinsons can do what they’ve been doing all season, this weekend should indeed be an exciting one.
Live webcasts of the finals will air Saturday at 1p.m. at www.ihsaatv.org[[In-content Ad]]
After breezing through Saturday’s Concord Sectional, winning two individual events each and combining to win two relays, the Robinson sisters plan to carry that momentum to IUPUI’s Natatorium in Indianapolis.
Going into the state finals, which begin Friday night with prelims, Brittany is the top seed in the 100 fly (53.86) and No. 2 seed in the 100 back (56.17), while Breanna sits as the top seed in the 200 free (1:15.33) and third seed in the 100 free (51.26).
“I’m excited,” Brittany said about the state finals. “This week couldn’t go any slower. It’s going really slow.”
The trip to the state finals is Brittany’s fourth, having gone in the 50 free and 100 fly the previous three years.
In her previous appearances, her top finish was second in the 100 fly last year after going third in the same event as a sophomore.
Going in as the top seed this season, anything short of a championship would leave a very bad taste in her mouth.
“You probably won’t want to put me on the bus with anyone else, especially when looking at the other times,” Brittany said about winning the 100 fly. “It’s like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ With my 53 (seconds), I should win, and I’ll be really frustrated if I don’t – to put it in the best terms possible.”
While winning the 100 back is very much within her grasp, the 100 fly seems to be where most of her focus is going, as the second seed in the event is Crown Point freshman Aly Tetzloff, who clocked a time of 55.26 at sectionals.
Already sporting a time over a second faster than the second seed, Brittany is reaching for a title and more.
“This year, I want the state title and I want the state record,” she said.
Her seed time in the 100 fly is actually faster than 2008 Harrison (Lafayette)-graduate Jenny Connolly’s state record of 53.91, which was set at the 2008 state meet.
However, because she set her time of 53.86 at sectionals, it doesn’t count as a state record, and she may even be looking past a state record time, according to her mom/coach Julie Robinson.
“Brittany’s other goal is to go a 52, because if you go to college and swim that, you can swim in the NCAAs,” Julie said. “It’s a goal she’s had since the beginning of the season, to get down to that time.”
Brittany’s already signed on to swim at the University of Louisville next year, so a state title is the only thing really eluding her.
However, her younger sister is just getting started, and she will be experiencing her first state meet this year.
Even with her older sister being there the previous three years, Breanna has never been to the meet.
Instead of watching her sister in the state finals, Breanna was competing in an age group meet in Fort Wayne during the same weekend.
“I’ve heard a lot about it,” Breanna said about the state meet. “I kind of have an idea, but probably nothing compared to what it really is.”
Luckily for her, she has someone pretty close to her who can help describe what’s in store.
“My freshman year, I had been in big meets before, but you can’t duplicate the atmosphere and intensity of the state meet,” Brittany said. “With my experience, I think I can help her.”
To this point, the younger Robinson hasn’t been overwhelmed with anything in the pool, having lost just one race this season, that coming in the 200 free during the Northern Lakes Conference Championships at Concord on Jan. 14.
In that race, Northridge’s Brittney Walters took first place in 1:51.39, while Breanna came in second in 1:52.33.
Fast forward three weeks to Saturday’s sectional competition, Breanna showed her competitiveness, winning the 200 free in 1:50.33, setting a pool record, while Walters was second in 1:52.17.
While her competitiveness is obviously there, Breanna comes across as a happy-go-lucky freshman girl in high school.
However, once her race is approaching, a switch flips.
“I have to stay relaxed and almost not focused, in a way,” Breanna said about her pre-swim routine. “I have to keep myself from not tightening up, while Brittany is a ‘zone out’ everything (kind of competitor), because she’s in the moment.”
And Brittany can agree with that.
“I sleep on the bus and listen to my iPod,” Brittany said. “I tune everything else out.”
The girls say their both competitive, but in different ways, and mom is well aware of that.
“Brittany thrives on the big meet,” Julie said. “She thrives on the higher level of competition. When it’s on the line, she’s able to relax and do her best. Where, Bre just needs to swim her race.”
By swimming her race, Breanna has a pretty simplistic view of what she needs to do at state.
“Swim fast,” she said.
By swimming fast, Breanna may show Julie something exciting, especially in the 100 free, where she’s the third seed.
“I’m excited for that one because she didn’t really have a lot of competition to race at sectionals,” Julie said. “So, in her suit, I think that should be a good one.”
With both girls vying for two state championships each, Brittany will be unable to swim in the 200 free relay, as it takes place just one event prior to the 100 back.
Because of the quick turn around at swim meets, and the small margin of error at a state meet, Brittany’s doing the wise thing and focusing on the individual event.
“It’s too much of a risk,” Brittany said about swimming in the 200 free relay. “It is tough, because that relay is ranked ninth. I’m thinking, ‘We could have had an entire relay team medal at state.’ It’s selfish, but I’d rather have my state title in the 100 back.”
“If it wasn’t her senior year, it’d be different,” Julie said.
The events are also so tightly compacted that it may be hard for the girls to watch each other compete, as they prepare for their respective races.
However, they try to watch as much as they can.
“I’ll at least know your time,” Breanna told her sister in response to the question. “I’ll try to watch as much as possible. I have to 200 free relay, then the (100) back is next, so I should be able to get to that one, before the (400) relay. But I always try to watch.”
And with this being the only year her two daughters will be able to compete in the same state finals, Julie is also going to be soaking it all in.
“It’s so neat to see them together, with the experiences this year,” she said. “But it’s so heart breaking on the other side, knowing they only get this one year.”
With this being their lone season together, the Robinsons plan on doing something special, which along with championships, may even include a state record.
“Brittany was really ready for a big drop in her fly (time at sectionals),” Julie said. “She has been swimming faster than she ever has before. (In past years) at sectionals, she’d go in swimming 58 or 59, then drop to 55 at sectionals. So, with her swimming 56s (going into the sectional), I saw the natural drop I normally see. If it’s like last year, there’s another second she can drop down, which puts her at 52.”
Instead of concentrating on state records, Breanna’s going down wide-eyed, but excited.
“I almost feel like there’s a little less pressure as of now, but we’ll see what happens this weekend,” she said. “I’m pretty excited though.”
That excitement is good, but can also overcome some swimmers, who must first qualify for Saturday’s finals round.
Friday night, competitors swim in the prelims, with the top 16 advancing to the finals, the top eight in the championship heat and ninth to 16th in the consolation heat.
However, with the atmosphere surrounding the event, some swimmers let their emotions take over.
“If you look at the times, generally, three-fourths of the girls swim slower on Saturday,” Julie said. “On Friday night, you have to go out and give it everything you have. They’re used to swimming in a pyramid seeding, where they might be No. 1 and there may be one other girl as fast in their heat, but the entire eight lanes (at state) have your ability. It’s very intimidating. You have to be able to step up on the blocks and be able to swim your race and not get caught up in the excitement.”
If the Robinsons can do what they’ve been doing all season, this weekend should indeed be an exciting one.
Live webcasts of the finals will air Saturday at 1p.m. at www.ihsaatv.org[[In-content Ad]]
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