Top performers: Bloomington North girls' swim records in Freel fall
It was just a matter of time.
And now was as good a time as any.
Bloomington North sophomore Ashley Freel made a big splash to start her sophomore swimming season, breaking three school records in her first four individual races.
First, she broke a 13-year-old record in the 200 freestyle, going 1:54.68 to snap the mark set by Elizabeth Munroe (1:55.30). Then at the same meet came a 57.92 in the 100 backstroke, eliminating a 1998 record (59.23) set by Lindsay Wilkinson.
The second meet of the season saw her go 52.21 to break the Cougar record in the 100 freestyle.
She's been taking aim at them and many others, for a while now.
More: Paegle, Freel nab top 10s at Senior State swim meet
More: Bloomington South's Paegle, North's Freel headline girls' swim teams
"It's always been a goal of mine to break these records," Freel said. "(Head coach Taylor McGregor) sent me the top times from last year, and so I've just been going after them."
And by "them," she means them all.
"As many as I can," she said.
The chase was spurred before she even got to North. She swam lap after lap in the pools at North and South while a club swimmer in town, so she couldn't help but look up every day and see the high school recordboards that hung on the walls.
"So it's like, I want to get my name up there," Freel said. "It's been a goal of mine for a long time."
Interestingly, none of the three races were the ones she did at sectional last year.
As much as the records are on her mind, she actually didn't plan to come out of the gate breaking 23-year-old records, even after winning a sectional title in the butterfly and 200 individual medley.
But she sure spent the summer putting herself in position to do so, working out with Club Olympia in Columbus under the direction of Jennifer Hooker Brinegar, former Indiana University and mother of IU distance standout and 2020 Olympian Michael Brinegar.
"It's a major commitment, but it's definitely worth it because the coaching is amazing," Freel said. "The teammates are very supportive and there are great people to race during practice to get better.
"Overall, it's a great fit for me in Columbus."
She spent her time here working on all her strokes, including her weakest, breaststroke. And she intends to give them all a try this season.
At the Sister Cities Meet, she went back to the butterfly, winning the 50 in 26.14 and the 100 by six seconds in 57.13 (her sectional time last year was 57.71). She was second in the 100 free (to South's Kristina Paegle) in 52.14.
"I definitely like to try to get all the events in at least one time," she said. "It's good to see what I can do in different events."
She found out just how good a mere four races into the season.
"It's really unexpected, honestly," Freel said. "I'm very happy with how I've been swimming so far and it's been unexpected but, I knew it would come someday."
Top performers
GIRLS' SWIMMING
Lucy Mitchell, North, Jr.
Won three races and a relay to help lead Bloomington to a win over Terre Haute in the Sister Cities Meet. Won the 100 individual medley (1:03.72), 50 breaststroke (30.93) and 100 breast (1:08.76) and swam leg for winning 200 medley relay.
Kristina Paegle, South, Sr.
Took care of her specialties in the Sister Cities Meet for Bloomington, winning the 100 freestyle (50.67) and 200 free (1:52.08) and also went 23.87 for the winning 200 free relay and 51.95 to finish the winning 400 free relay.
BOYS' SWIMMING
Ben Dixon, North, So.
Had a strong day at the Sister Cities Meet for the winning Bloomington team, taking the 100 freestyle (50.14) and 200 free (1:52.07) and was second in the 50 free (22.90). Had a 22.19 leg for the winning 200 free relay and led off the winning 400 relay.
David Kovacs, South, Fr.
One of South's Fab Freshmen won three events at the Sister Cities Meet for Bloomington, taking the 100 individual medley (55.75), 100 backstroke (54.07) and 100 breast (tied 1:04.22). Also led off the winning 200 medley relay and anchored the winning 400 free relay in 49.87.
Lukas Paegle, South, Fr.
Kovacs' classmate added to the medal pile at the Sister Cities Meet with wins in the 50 free (22.71), 100 butterfly (51.89) and 50 fly (23.69). Led off the winning 200 free relay.
WRESTLING
Nick Castelluccio, South, Sr. 152/145
Strong return to the mat for Castelluccio, who sat out last season. Went 4-1 at South Invitational with three pins. Only loss was via pin to No. 1 and two-time state medalist Hayden Watson of Center Grove.
Miles Libby, South, Jr. 120
Went 4-1 at the South Invitational. His only defeat was via major decision to Center Grove's 10th ranked Reece Courtney.
Jackson Lynch, South, Sr. 195/182
Terrific season opener for the senior, who went 5-0 with five pins against Bloomington North, Center Grove (varsity and JV), Columbus North and Martinsville.
Cam Meier, South, Fr. 106
Went 4-1 with three pins at the South Invitational. Only loss was by pin to No. 10 Charlie Larocca of Center Grove.
Aiden Reynolds, South, Sr. 5-0 170/160
Stormed out of the gate at the South Invitational with a 2-1 win over No. 12 Noah Clouser of Center Grove and a pin of No. 16 Chase Hostetler of North.
Delaney Ruhlman, South, Jr. 152/160
Spent most of his day in the season opening South Invitational at 160 and went 5-0 with five pins, including one over No. 17 Julian Weems of Center Grove in 1:44.
Cash Turner, Edgewood Jr. 138
Ranked ninth to open season, off to 6-0 start, going 5-0 at Edgewood Invitational on Nov. 24 with four pins. Added another pin in a dual team loss to Terre Haute South.
Contact Jim Gordillo at jgordillo@heraldt.com and follow on Twitter @JimGordillo.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington North girls' swim records in Freel fall
