CROWN POINT - As of now Crown Point stands as the second best team in the state. They had the best year in school history last season when they won sectionals beating out powerhouse Munster and the Bulldogs were also state runner-up to Carmel high school. Even though they graduated Racheal Bukowski and Holly Schuster, they still have Aly Tetzloff and Mackenzie Artim who will lead team to what they are hoping to be a back to back sectional title. SWIMMERS TO WATCH OUT FOR: Aly Tetzloff, a Senior, will lead a talented group of sophomores this year as they try to defend their sectional title against team rival Munster. Not only was Tetzloff the sectional winner in the 100 butterfly and 200 IM, but she was the state champion in the fly setting a new state record. She will score some big points for the Bulldogs and possibly break even more records in the processes. This is Tetzloff's senior year, what kind of a bang will the state champion/record holder go out with? Mackenzie Artim, a Junior, was interviewed by us after her sophomore year of swimming and it was clear to us that she had a lot more to show. Artim is one of the most well-rounded freestylers in the region. She finished third in both the 200 and 100 freestyle at last year's sectional. She also qualified for the state meet in those events. She is a huge contributor to their 4x100 freestyle relay, a relay that broke a national record but she was also a part of their 200 freestyle relay. She has speed this is a fact but she also has endurance. She is a 500 swimmer and during club season she usually swims even longer distances. It is a new year and Artim will be looked at as a leader now. One thing is certain, whatever her coach has her swim, she will be a factor when sectionals rolls around. Hannah Kukurugya, a Sophomore, has just finished up competing at the junior pan pacific meet in Maui, Hawaii. Kukurugya was state champion in the 500 freestyle last season. She just missed the state record by about a second. She also took second place to Carmel standout Claire Adams in the 200 freestyle at the state meet. It will be hard to stop Kukurugya in her events. The only swimmers in the state that could seem to do so were the Carmel girls and her own teammate Tetzloff. She is on a great track right now and if she stays in the 500 freestyle for state watch for that state record to be obliterated. Kelsi Artim, a Sophomore. is the younger sister to junior Mackenzie Artim. Crown Point has benefited from having two Artim's on the team at once. Kelsi is a bit different of a swimmer than Mackenzie. She is a state finalist breaststroker. She broke her team record in the event near the beginning of the season, went on to win the event at sectionals and finished sixth overall in the state. Artim went a 1:03.53 at state and her sectional time was about a second slower. If she is even near that time it will be hard to stop her at sectionals. She is also a very accomplished IMer as well considering the fact that she went a 2:04.52 at state in the event. Abby Wellman, a Junior, now was a big part of the reason why Crown Point was able to defeat Munster. In prelims she came in seeded with a 1:05.41 and came out with a blistering 1:02.95. The next day in finals she went a 1:01.80 and placed 5th overall. Wellman seems to have a great ability to develop and drop time when the bright lights are on her. She may just also be a factor in the splash-and-dash 50 freestyle where she placed seventh last year but with four seniors in that event graduated including the top three finishers, Wellman has a chance to move up and take some big points for the Bulldogs. Danielle Yagelski, a Junior, only swam one event at last season's sectionals but she played her part well. Yagelski took third in the 100 backstroke as Crown Point's top qualifier. She went under a minute as a Sophomore. The first and second place finishers last season in this event are seniors now. You can count on seeing all three back for that epic rematch. Alex St. Amour, a Senior, is one that seems to be under looked. St. Amour finished 5th in the a final of the 100 breaststroke. She also swam to a seventh place finish in the 200 IM as well. This girl is great for team depth and racking up the points. With Holly Schuster gone the breaststroke event is now up to her and Artim. It is St. Amour's senior year, you can be sure she will go out with a stunning performance. UP AND COMERS: Bailey Ficek, a Sophomore, is a brave one. She stepped into the championship final of the 100 backstroke as the only freshman among the field. Ficek could be in the running for the backstroke title when sectional time comes around. Paige Frederick, a Sophomore, had an impressive sectional as a freshman last season. She won the consolation final of the 500 freestyle. Do not be shocked if you see her battling the best in the championship final this year. Anna McCormick, a Sophomore, finished second in the 100 freestyle of consultation final to Munster's freshman Margaret Vaitkus. McCormick also third in the 50 free consolation final. Heroes: Caroline Lodovisi, a senior, had one of the most shocking performances out of the Crown Point team last season. She has lots of speed and endurance. That was obvious when Lodovisi finished fourth in the butterfly and only the 100 freestyle event to rest up until she had to get her cap back on to jump in for the 500 where she placed fifth overall. It is clear this girl plays a crucial role to the Bulldogs defending their sectional title. There is a lot more for Lodovisi to show. The chances are high that she will be a new state team member. |
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AuthorJR Kelly. Archives
July 2015
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