Swimmers from Lakeside, Hot Springs and Lake Hamilton will travel to Bentonville this weekend to compete in the state competition with eyes on setting new standards on the state level, as well as for their programs.
Lakeside and Hot Springs qualifiers will compete in the 5A-1A competition at the Bentonville Community Center. Lake Hamilton sophomore Noah Smith will swim in the 7A-6A competition.
Athletes are only allowed to compete in two individual events and two relays per meet. Some athletes are unable to compete in all of the state events for which they qualified.
Lakeside senior Sarah-Marie Linneman and junior Nicole Burek will participate in four events, each swimming twice in individual events and in two relays. Linneman is seeded fifth in the 100-yard backstroke and sixth in the 200-yard individual medley.
"I try not to stress about my individual events," Linneman said. "The events I pick are the ones that I swim well in and, honestly, I just try to relax, focus and have a lot of fun.
"Relays are my favorite events. I love that I get to race with my teammates instead of against them."
Burek is seeded fourth in the 50-yard freestyle and fifth in the 100-yard breaststroke, in which she has competed the last two years. Linneman and Burek qualified with junior Britney Loy and sophomore Lydia Cevela in the 200-yard freestyle a year ago. Loy and Cevela were alternates on this year's state qualifying team with freshmen Aly Navarro and Aishani Singh, but Navarro and Singh will not be able to compete at state due to scheduling conflicts.
"I am looking forward to representing Lakeside and showcasing our talent on a statewide stage," said Lakeside coach Brad Launius. "All of my athletes have been determined in their preparation for each meet and it all culminates with the state meet. Each has the potential to place on the podium in their respective events."
Linneman, Burek, Cevela and Navarro qualified for the 200-yard medley relay with Loy as an alternate. Lakeside is seeded fifth in the medley relay and eighth in the freestyle relay.
Sophomore Mason Vondenstein set the state record as the state champion in the 200-yard individual medley a year ago with a time of 2:12.74. He is seeded first overall this year at 2:07.30. Jordan Jones, of Little Rock Christian, is seeded second at 2:13.33.
Sophomore A.J. Navarro is seeded seventh in the 100-yard freestyle and eighth in the 50-yard freestyle.
"This will be the first year we've been able to practice the day prior using the same pool they will compete in on Saturday," Launius said. "I feel this will get some of their jitters out before the state meet.
"I'm excited to see my swimmers compete at their highest level. It's been a great season and they have made both me and the Lakeside community proud."
Hot Springs will send two athletes to state. Anthony Reiter qualified for the first time this year a junior. He is seeded sixth in the 100-yard backstroke and ninth in the 50-yard freestyle.
"I've been practicing every day and focusing on improving on the little things," Reiter said. "Specifically, I've been trying to increase the speed of my turns and the distance of my dive off the blocks."
Emma Campas qualified in her first year of eligibility. She will compete in the 100-yard backstroke and the 200-yard individual medley.
"I'm so excited about qualifying for state being only a freshman," Campas said. "I've really been working hard on improving my diving technique where I feel I can really make up some time."
"I am extremely proud of my athletes," said Hot Springs coach Gary Van Zandt. "They've consistently worked hard in the pool this season and have improved their event times at every swim meet. This is a great bunch of kids with a lot of enthusiasm that's paid off in the form of qualifying for the state championship swim meet."
Smith qualified for five events and opted to compete in the 500-yard freestyle, in which he is seeded seventh, and the 200-yard individual medley, in which he is seeded eighth.
"Noah is a very talented swimmer who works hard and I expect him to compete well," said Lake Hamilton coach Matt Kinsinger.
Sports on 02/23/2018