INDIANAPOLIS — Though a few spots away from advancing to either the championship and consolation rounds on Saturday, Pendleton Heights finished strong wrapping up the 2020-21 girls swimming and diving season.
At the IHSAA Girls Swimming and Diving State Finals, the Arabians’ 200 freestyle relay team set a school record during Friday’s preliminary round.
The lone Pendleton Heights survivors from last week’s talent-heavy Fishers Sectional, the relay team — which set a school record of 1:40.23 in a third-place finish at the sectional — broke that record during the state preliminary meet at the IU Natatorium in downtown Indianapolis.
Seeded 10th in their session and 22nd overall, the group of junior Jaima Link, senior Kaitlyn Wheetley, freshman Mallory Gentry and junior Grace McKinney finished in an Arabians record time of 1:39.64.
Though 11th in their session (one of two held Friday), they upped their overall ranking by finishing 20th in the state.
“We worked on fine-tuning little things — our turns, our finishes, getting off the blocks fast, all those little things that make a big difference,” Pendleton Heights head coach Mindy Hertzler said. “That was kind of focus after the sectional and trying to keep them fresh.”
Due to the pandemic, the IHSAA broke the preliminary round into two parts with a morning and evening session.
The Arabians were just four positions away from qualify for the consolation (B) final.
The top 8 from the preliminary rounds in each event qualify for the championship (A) final.
Positions 9-16 make the consolation race.
It was the second straight year an Arabians relay team advanced to the state prelims. A Pendleton Heights foursome made the 400 freestyle relay last year, which included both Link and McKinney.
The record-setting swim put a close to another solid season for Pendleton Heights.
The Arabians went undefeated in dual meets during the regular season and won the Hoosier Heritage Conference meet.
“I think we’re going to have a strong team coming up again,” Hertzler added. “I’m real excited, especially with all the things the kids have had to go through and the changes. They’ve been troopers, and they’ve just taken ownership.”
Most of the team returns next season. Wheetley is one of only three seniors, along with Emma Weflen and diver Dani Crehan.
