INDIANAPOLIS — Prior to Saturday’s Boys Swimming State Finals, Avon coach Jon Karr offered some encouragement to Columbus North junior Christopher Lee.
Karr, who was the Bull Frogs’ school record holder in the 100-yard backstroke, told Lee he was ready for his record to go down. About three hours later, Lee obliged when he won the consolation heat in 49.57 seconds to finish ninth overall and break Karr’s mark.
“That race hurt a lot,” said Lee, who was trying to stop a bloody nose after the race. “But I just pushed through. I tried to do my best. I tried to break the boundaries, and thankfully, I did.”
Lee’s finish in the backstroke was his second top-10 finish of the day. He had earlier placed 10th in the 50 freestyle in 20.78.
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Last week, Lee broke the school and sectional record in the 50 freestyle with a 20.61. That was the third-fastest time in the state entering Friday’s prelims, but he swam 20.77 in the prelims, missing the eighth and final qualifying spot to the finals by one one-hundreth of a second.
“I have a lot of details to work on, but I’m still pretty proud of the time,” Lee said. “I have some new things to work on for next season, which is some really exciting stuff.”
Ironically, Lee entered the state meet with only the 16th-fastest sectional time in the 100 backstroke at 51.23. He went 50.36 in Friday’s prelims to qualify 14th.
Lee’s 49.57 on Saturday would have put him sixth in the championship heat.
“That’s an awesome swim,” North coach Logan Schaefer said. “I’m really proud of Chris. It’s a great way to finish, and we’re back next year.”
All four of the Bull Frogs who competed in the state meet over the weekend will be back. Freshman Daniel Utterback, juniors Lee and Tristen Cook and sophomore David Fry finished 19th in the prelims of the 200 freestyle relay on Friday.
The ninth through 16th swims in each event returned Saturday for the consolation heats.
“I’m absolutely so proud of myself,” Lee said. “But I’d trade all of it for swimming with my brothers in that relay.”
The 16 points scored by Lee on Saturday gave North a tie for 26th place as a team.
Carmel set five state records in the 11 swimming events to score 331 points and win its sixth consecutive championship. Munster finished second with 183 points, and Chesterton edged Fishers 163-158 for third.
