GREENFIELD — Depth proved key for Greenfield-Central swim teams Tuesday in an early-season dual against county rival Mt. Vernon.
The top two teams — by a considerable margin — from the last year’s New Palestine Sectional battled it out on the girls side, with the Cougars proving they still have enough talent for a potential repeat, winning 104-82.
Greenfield-Central’s boys were led by sophomore Zach Cook, who finished first in four events and set a program record, as the team finished with 133 points to the Marauders’ 52.
Cougars girls head coach Emily Logan said despite losing a few valuable seniors from last season’s squad, Greenfield-Central has more capable athletes than ever.
“The last several years have been about depth,” Logan said, a Mt. Vernon alum. “That’s exactly what pulls us through, especially in big meets.
“We brought in some pretty decent freshman that have helped. Carley (Logan) is already faster (than some seniors from last year). Haley Russo is another one who has come in and scored points. Our freshman class is the biggest class right now.”
Carley Logan won the 500 yard freestyle and finished second in the 200 yard freestyle.
Logan said it is always nice to compete and earn a win against her former school.
“There’s always a big chunk of my heart that is Mt. Vernon,” she said. “That’s where I learned swimming. It’s one of those bittersweet meets. It’s always good to see these kids and how they are progressing.”
Greenfield-Central junior Shyanne Milne and Mt. Vernon junior Madeline King tied for first in the 1-meter dive competition.
Cougars junior Ashley Finney won the 50-yard freestyle. She finished fourth in the same event at the sectional meet last season. Classmate Krista Zornes won the 100-yard freestyle.
For Mt. Vernon, sophomore Lydia Tierney, who took home four blue ribbons at the 2015 sectional, won the 200 individual medley and was apart of the winning 200 medley relay team.
Gloria Gonzalez also was on the 200 medley relay team and took first in the 200 freestyle. She also won the 100 backstroke.
Greenfield-Central’s boys won last year’s sectional crown and had several of the same names finish atop the leaderboards on Tuesday.
Senior Jordan Cermak teamed with Cook, junior Allen Forbes and sophomore Ethan Kile to win the 200-yard medley relay. The Cougars also won the 400 freestyle relay, while Mt. Vernon won the 200 freestyle relay.
Cermak also won the 100 freestyle, while Cook took first in the 50 yard freestyle (school record 51.24), 100 yard butterfly and 100 yard backstroke. Senior Jacob Tomer was equally impressive, winning the 200 and 500 yard freestyles. Cougars senior Jacob Keener, who finished second at last year’s sectional, won the diving competition.
Mt. Vernon was led by senior Dixon Tierney, who took first in the 50 yard freestyle and 200 yard individual medley.
Both Greenfield-Central swim teams are now 3-0 in Hoosier Heritage Conference action.
The Cougars return to the pool on at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Hamilton Southeastern Splash N’ Clash. The Marauders host New Palestine at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.
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Girls
Greenfield-Central 104
Mt. Vernon 82
Boys
Greenfield-Central 133
Mt. Vernon 52
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