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Swimming: Seahorses cruise again
Updated: January 14, 2012 11:15PM
HIGHLAND — The postseason is quickly approaching. That means Munster is gearing up for the sectional and state swim meets.
The Seahorses demonstrated exactly how serious they are about achieving more postseason success — they placed seventh at the state meet last year — during Saturday’s Northwest Crossroads meet.
One thing’s for sure — Munster did it in dominating fashion.
Coach Matt Pavlovich’s Seahorses captured first place in 11 of 12 events while chalking up 448 points — exactly double Lowell’s total (224) — while host Highland placed third (223).
Munster senior Jillian Homans won the 50-yard free (25.45) and 100 free (55.53) and helped the Seahorses win the 200 medley relay (1:51.67).
“I did better than I expected today,” Homans said. “It feels nice to win. I think it was a very successful day. It’s a weird time to be swimming now, because we’ve been going through some really hard practices. I just feel weird in the water. You’re so tired this time of year, and more uncomfortable in the water, so it’s not as easy. We’re gearing up for the postseason. We’re getting ready to win the sectional and place in the top eight at state.”
Senior Brittany Gilbert won the 200 IM (2:11.18) and helped the Seahorses place first in the 200 free relay (1:42.23) by swimming the lead leg and anchoring the 400 free relay (3:57.85). She also swam the butterfly on the 200 medley relay (1:51.67).
“I think everyone did really well today,” Gilbert said. “I was happy with how I swam. It was good to get out and race a few times before sectional and state. I think we were all motivated to swim fast and win as many events as we could.”
Munster freshman Nikki Smith won the 100 breast (1:11.68) and also swam legs on the winning 200 free and 200 medley relays.
“After coming off a hard week of practice, we were definitely tired, so I was happy with the way my day ended,” Smith said. “I’m really surprised with how I’ve been swimming this year. I’ve definitely accomplished more than I ever expected.”
Lowell freshman Mikki Wood was the only non-Munster swimmer to win an event.
Wood set personal records in winning the 200 free (2:02.75) and taking second in the 100 free (56.34).
“I’ve been practicing really hard and it’s paying off,” she said. “The level of competition was very good and that helped me.”
Despite placing third, Highland coach Ryan Harrington was pleased with his team.
“It would have been nice to get second, but it’s been a long time since we’ve taken third,” Harrington said. “We had 99 percent best times today. When you perform like that, you can’t complain. The girls swam well. Overall, it was a good day.”
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