Kokomo Athletics

Thursday night the Katfish traveled to Carmel High School to compete in the preliminary round of the toughest girls swim sectional in the state (duking it out with an Olympic gold medalists for cryin' out loud). Anyway, prelims are all about swimming your best in hopes of earning a top-16 finish for a chance to swim again Saturday… in either the consolation (places 16-9) or finals (8-1) heat with the opportunity to advance to the state finals. Top Relay Results The Katfish started out strong with the 200 Medley Relay, the team of Aubrey Simmons, Morgan Rakestraw, Maddie Armstrong, and Milla Hawkins dropped 0.22 seconds off their PR, earning a 4th place finish with a time of 1:59.43. Keeping the momentum going; the 200 Freestyle Relay team of Maddie Armstrong, Giyanna Thornton, Bethany Burns, and Alyssa Frederick dropped 1.96 seconds off their entry time to earn the 8th spot in the finals on Saturday. Finishing off the night for the Katfish was Aubrey Simmons, Morgan Rakestraw, Alyssa Frederick, and Milla Hawkins in the 400 Freestyle Relay. Despite this event not being their favorite relay, they swam fast and earned a 3rd place finish. Top Individual Results Leading the Katfish into sectional finals on Saturday is Senior Aubrey Simmons, earning a 2nd place finish in the 50 Freestyle (24.20) and the top spot in the 100 Backstroke (57.05). Milla Hawkins, Morgan Rakestraw, Maddie Armstrong, and Alyssa Frederick secured their Saturday swims by placing top 16 in their respective events. Milla Hawkins in the 100 Freestyle (9th) & 100 Breaststroke (11th), Morgan Rakestraw in the 200 IM (11th) & 100 Fly (12th), Maddie Armstrong in the 200 IM (12th), and Alyssa Frederick in the 200 Free (13th) & 500 Free (12th). I’m so incredibly proud of our girls and how they competed, not just during prelims but all season long! They all have an incredible amount of fight in them… and while we may not be blessed with a big roster (having only 7 girls), I'd go into battle with these 7 any day of the week! Let’s keep this momentum going into Saturday for Sectional Finals at Carmel High School! Go Katfish! -Coach Whiteman