Swim/Dive Defeat the Red Devils

The Bulldog Swimming & Diving Team returned to the win column on Tuesday night, holding off big challenges from a spirited Pike Red Devils squad. The Girls wore down host Pike and posted a 100-80 win while the Boys staged an impressive comeback to best the Red Devils 98-88.

The Bulldog Girls opened the meet in strong fashion, placing 1-2 in the 200 Medley Relay and never looked back. Seniors Madeline Ketchem and Kristin Verpe and juniors Delaney Krug and Chloe Wittig took top honors with the team of sophomores Brianna LaPaugh, Diamond Parker and Breanna Smith and freshman Shelby Smith completing the sweep.

Sophomore Kierra Watson led another 1-2 sweep in the very next event, teaming with freshman Piper Lovett for the top two places in the 200 Freestyle. Lovett (100 Backstroke) and Watson (500 Freestyle) picked up individual wins later in the meet, as did Ketchem in the 100 Breaststroke.

Freshman Avery Chadd notched her first individual career win in the 200 IM, while senior Paige Jones turned in a second place finish in diving.

The Bulldog Boys had to weather the storm from a fired up Red Devils squad, who took 5 of the first 6 events, with the lone Bulldog victory in that span going to Bradley Green in the 200 Freestyle, leading a 1-2 sweep with sophomore Hunter Dahlke.

Green would come up big again later in the meet, taking first in the 100 Freestyle with sophomore Joe Ancel finishing a close second. That swim set the stage for the pivotal 500 Freestyle, where senior Nathan Brooks came up huge, swimming to third place and completing a 1-2-3 sweep with freshman Joe Myhre (first) and junior Grant Anspach (second). The event sealed a 14 point comeback and vaulted the Bulldogs back into the lead to stay.

Sophomore Kyle Baney won the 100 Backstroke to push the Dogs lead even farther, and the 400 Freestyle Relay team of Ancel, Anspach, junior Donnie Spencer and freshman Vince Partlow sealed the victory in the final event of the meet.

The Bulldog Boys (2-1) and Girls (4-2) return to action this Saturday, December 15 at the Hendricks County Championship Invitational at Avon HS. Diving prelims begin at 8 a.m., with swimming and diving finals beginning at 12:30 p.m.