NORTH VERNON — The Floyd Central boys swimming and diving team flexed all their muscles at Hoosier Hills Conference.
Taking first place in five of 12 total events, the Highlanders scored 351 points for the conference crown while Jeffersonville were runners-up with 215 on Saturday. Bedford North Lawrence finished third with 212 points, followed by Seymour (178), host Jennings County (124), New Albany (109), Columbus East (105) and Madison (31).
Junior Austin Smith placed highest individually for the Olympians, claiming third in the 50-yard freestyle in 23.19 seconds and fourth in the 100 freestyle in 51.89. Smith teamed with Griff McGaha, Chris Borowski and Evan Wieneke for a fifth-place finish in the 200 freestyle relay (1:40.25)
East’s 200 medley relay team of McGaha, Ryan Singer, Bryce Eckelman and Derek Alexander took sixth (1:54.95). In the diving well, DJ Rhodes (253.40) placed eighth for the Olympians.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
The final event of night, the 400 freestyle relay, decided which teams placed sixth and seventh, with New Albany and East since tied 91-91. The Olympians finished seventh (3:41.71) in the relay, while the Bulldogs took sixth (3:38.92).
“There were some that were really pleased with the way they went out there today,” East coach Dave Fribley said. “However, I thought we would do better. It’s one of those races you try to peak for.”
Jennings freshman Peyton Moore had a strong HHC debut, winning the 50 freestyle (22.89) and finishing runner-up in the 100 freestyle (50.03).
“He got off quick and had good turns,” Panthers coach Chaz Wilson said. “His speed and arm tempo was everything it needed to be to get first.”
The Panthers’ Austin Mills placed third (327.25), and Cameron Mills (294.95) finished fifth in diving. Trey Hundley was seventh in the 200 individual medley (2:16.30) and eighth in the 100 backstroke (1:03.80), while Evan Dubben placed eighth in the 100 butterfly (59.84).
Jennings was fourth in the 200 freestyle relay (1:39.03) and eighth in the 200 medley relay (2:25.16).
“Everyone swam as fast as they could,” Wilson said. “Every guy dropped time today. As a team, we’ve really gotten better.”
