By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Biting the lip is a sure sign of nervousness, and both of Bedford North Lawrence’s Lipp sisters were anxious. Ava, the elder, had one final chance to earn a trip to the IHSAA finals. Sabrina was the top seed in her event. Every tenth of a second mattered.
Nothing was fake about these Lipp syncs. They were true to their times, smacking the wall first in their respective races, buttoning up victories in the IHSAA sectional and qualifying simultaneously for the grand stage of the state championships.
Ava finally broke through the Jasper obstacle for a triumph in the 100-yard backstroke, while Sabrina splashed to her win in the 50 freestyle. These Lipps were sealed, on their way to compete in the state preliminary races at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis on Friday night.
They’ve been in the water since age 3, competing since kindergarten, graduates of the Lawrence County Aquatics program. They have continued BNL’s success in sending athletes to the final stage of the state tournament.
“We’re very excited to have two girls heading to state, it’s even better that they are sisters,” BNL coach Adam Young said. “I am not sure we have ever had sisters at state in individual events. I feel like the girls team is starting to really build some momentum. Ava and Sabrina’s advancement really helps in that respect.”
Sisters share a special bond, part rivalry and part unbreakable family dynamic. Ava went first, Sabrina followed, at times a little jealous but always chasing her example. “She’s always been my motivation,” Sabrina said. “It means we get one last meet together. That’s important.”
“It’s always been us going back and forth,” Ava said. “So going to the state finals is special. It’s important to me and my family. I can’t tell you how excited my parents are. They’re over the moon.“
When Ava moved to BNL from Mitchell, with the express intent to swim for the Stars, she had to wait. Jasper star Nicole Fant and BNL standout Emma Gabhart were in front of her in the backstroke during her freshman season. As a sophomore, she was second to Fant. As a junior, second to Fant, who finally graduated. The frustration was unbearable.
“My senior year, my last chance,” Ava said. “It was a weight lifted off my shoulders.”
She chose the backstroke because, in an ironic twist, because she hated having her face under water. Now she can hold her head high above the surf as a champion and state qualifier. Her love for the sport never wavered. “My mind goes silent when I’m in the water,” she said. “I don’t worry about anything.”
Sabrina’s story is far from finished. As a sophomore, she surprised the field by earning the top seed during the prelims. She backed that up with a sizzling 25.21 swim in the final. In an event that can be decided by one bad stroke or slow flip at the halfway point, she was spot on.
She realizes where she’s going. Sabrina is seeded 32nd in the state meet. She doesn’t care, and that’s not just lip service. Her main goal now is chasing the school record of 24.37 (set by Justine Jones in 2009, one of the oldest records on the record board above the BNL pool).
“I’m just happy to be there,” Sabrina said. “I don’t care if I’m one of the last, one of the slowest. State has been one of the biggest goals for me. I’m not expecting anything super special.“
She has already earned her place. Nicknames are a sign of passage on the swim team. Ava’s is “Mango” after the Chris Kattan character in a famous Saturday Night Live sketch. Sabrina’s is “Brownie” with no hidden meaning at all. Mango and Brownie sounds like a 1980s sitcom title.
“All the high school girls had these cool nicknames,” Sabrina said. “I really wanted one. I was more than happy with it.”
Before Ava completes her work-study CNA duties at Stonebridge and heads to Ivy Tech to study nursing, she would like to chase the Gabhart school record of 59.43 (set in 2023). Ava is seeded 30th in 1:01.57. Do they have any tapering time cuts left for one more rush through the water?
“It’s going to be tough to see additional time drops, as usual,” Young said. “In both sectional races, the girls had to put everything on the line to advance, as they were both pressed hard in their events. At the state level, the competition just amps up significantly. Our girls state meet is far and away the fastest in the country.
“Sabrina has two more years to go, and I am hopeful she will get on deck in Indy and make the decision to go all in. Not only breaking the school and sectional records before graduating, but to also medal at state. I think it is a very real possibility for her to accomplish such goals, if she gets the necessary focus and commitment in the offseason.”
The top eight in each event will advance from the prelims to the state championship races, while places 9-16 will qualify for the state consolations, on Saturday.
