BNL swimmers split meets with New Albany

BNL’s Garrett Henson and the Stars topped New Albany in dual-meet action on Saturday at New Albany.

NEW ALBANY – Bedford North Lawrence swept the relays while winning eight events to conquer New Albany during boys swimming action on Saturday.

The Stars posted a 109-76 victory in the boys meet. The Bulldogs won the girls meet by a 118-47 count.

John Allen, Alexander Swenson and Cole Baker were members of two winning relays and also took home individual blues ribbons for the Stars. That trio teamed with Garrett Henson to take the 200-yard medley relay in 1:45.32, then combined with Trey Kimbley to touch first in the 400 freestyle relay in 3:29.26.

Isaiah Eicle, Hayden Puckett, Garrett Gabhart and Kimbley took the 200 free relay in 1:42.44.

Swenson was a double winner, finishing the 200 individual medley in 2:09.79 before taking the 100 butterfly in 56.76. Allen won the 200 free in 1:55.46, while Baker was first in the 100 backstroke in 59.20. Puckett also got home first in the 500 free in 5:30.56.

BNL’s Emma Gabhart won two individual freestyle races at New Albany.

“It was a great meet today,” BNL coach Adam Young said. “The guys reversed last year’s defeat to New Albany in convincing fashion. Garret Henson and Hayden Puckett had great meets, with Henson finally getting to a :31 breast leg in the medley. Puckett had nice drops in the 200 and 500 and is already eclipsing last year’s sectional times.”

In the girls meet, BNL’s Emma Gabhart won two events. She splashed to the wall first in the 200 free in 2:04.88, then won the grueling 500 free in 5:39.18.

“For both the girls and guys, we have begun the most intense training portion of our season,” Young said. “That will continue this week and peak over Christmas break with two-a-day practices. This means that PRs for the veterans are difficult to come by. The newer swimmers are not as immediately impacted by that and so we saw a lot of great times from our freshmen and first-year swimmers today.”

BNL will visit Madison on Dec. 18.