BNL’s Gabhart wins two HHC titles

BNL senior Garrett Gabhart won two HHC titles on Saturday.

NORTH VERNON – Bedford North Lawrence senior Garrett Gabhart won two individual titles during the Hoosier Hills Conference boys swimming meet on Saturday.

Gabhart splashed to victories in the 100-yard butterfly and 100 backstroke as the Stars finished fifth in the team standings with 119.5 points. Floyd Central won the title with 317 while Columbus East was second with 271.

Gabhart touched first in the butterfly in 51.98, then clocked 52.54 to take the backstroke.

“He was a double winner, and it’s been a while since that has happened on the boys side,” BNL coach Adam Young said. “Moreover he is knocking on the door of a couple of school records. I think he can get the fly record at the sectional (51.00, set by Andrew Swenson in 2020).”

East’s Keaton Stephenson was also a double winner, taking the 200 freestyle in 1:46.17 and the 100 free in 48.44. East’s Josh Pendleton claimed the 200 individual medley (2:00.24) and 500 free (4:47.59).

“I’m really proud of how we showed up and swam our races, and didn’t let the competition, which is top shelf in this conference, impact what we came to do,” Young said. ”I don’t think I’ve ever been happier about fifth place at HHC. The guys came through across the board.  Ordinarily we are lucky to get a handful of season bests, but we got mountains of season bests and lifetime bests. Every single guy had a big day.”

BNL’s girls team will compete in the IHSAA sectional at Jasper on Thursday (prelim races) and Saturday (finals).