HANCOCK COUNTY — The anticipation of the big meet can carry some nervousness.
Having gone through that hope and eagerness numerous times, some calmness and confidence has set in for a group of Hancock County representatives preparing for the IHSAA boys swimming and diving state finals Friday and Saturday in Indianapolis at historic IU Natatorium.
Swimmers, and one diver, from Greenfield-Central and Mt. Vernon will begin competing in the state prelims Friday at 5:30 p.m. with plans to qualify for Saturday’s championship or consolation finals.
The diving competition, which will include Greenfield-Central sophomore Alexander Jahrsdorfer, who placed seventh at Tuesday’s Plainfield Regional, takes place on Saturday at 9 a.m.
Greenfield-Central’s Travis Black and Samuel Logan are competing in the state finals for a fourth time. Senior teammate Anthony Nagel is a three-time competitor and was a relay alternate as a freshman.
“I’m a lot less nervous than I was other years because I’ve been there before, but this year, being the year that it is, it’s going to be weirder because of all the (COVID-19) regulations,” Black said.
“It’s nice to not feel as nervous,” he added. “I remember my freshman and sophomore year, the entire week going into state, it was all I could think about. Now, I’m focused and I’m ready. I know it’s there, but it’s not like all I think about.”
Logan and Black were part of the Cougars’ 200-yard medley relay team as freshmen, since then they have both qualified on multiple relays as well as individual events.
“It helps a lot (having state meet experience). I know how to prepare myself for the meet, that kind of atmosphere, and the level of competition,” Logan said.
“I grew up around swimming with my parents (Greenfield-Central’s Mark Logan and Emily Logan) being coaches so I’d been to the state meet to spectate several years. When I actually got down there my freshman year, it was a lot different competing with everybody, compared to now where it’s something I’m used to, competing at that level with those kind of guys.”
Mt. Vernon’s Aiden Tierney and Logan Schomaker are three-time vets. It’s the second time for Brady Gray and James Demircioglu.
Along with plenty of familiarity. There has been a lot of success, too.
Greenfield-Central scored 43.5 points in last year’s state meet, finishing 14th overall. Mt. Vernon tied for 22nd with 18 points.
Black and Tierney both know the championship finals.
Black was fourth in the 50 freestyle in 2020 and sixth in 2019. Tierney placed sixth in the 100 breaststroke last year.
With that experience, and results, comes expectations.
“The 100 fly, I’m hoping to get a top eight-ish. The 100 breast, I just want to see how fast I can go,” Tierney said. “(At sectional) I just tested things out. This weekend, I’m just ready to pound it. I’m hoping for a top three.”
“I really just want to go in and do the best I can,” Black added. “This year, the sprints are just insanely fast. I’m just excited to race and see all those people (I competed with in the summer) again.
“It’s going to take a lot (to get back on the podium) … I’m really excited it’s going to be fun.
Hancock County competitors will be represented in 11 of 12 events, with the only exclusion being the 500 freestyle.
All first-place finishers from last week’s New Palestine Sectional qualified, plus Greenfield-Central’s 200 medley relay and Mt. Vernon’s Brad Gray in the 50 freestyle were pulled in to complete the field of 32 in their respective races.
Today’s preliminaries have changed from previous years.
Due to COVID-19 protocol, preliminary races have been broken into two sessions. Representatives from the even numbered sectionals are swimming at noon, while odd numbered sectionals (New Palestine is sectional No. 15) are competing at 5:30 p.m.
The top-eight overall times will qualify for Saturday’s championship final, while times 9-16 will be in the consolation final.
“It’s a nice way to end (our high school careers),” Black added. “With COVID, I wasn’t expecting to get this much of a season. It’s nice that we are all able to go and have the experience.”
