IL junior adds sixth-place finish in 100 backstroke; BHS freshman also makes podium
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Indian Lake’s Skyler Tavenner is shown with his medals after placing third in the 50 freestyle and sixth in the 100 backstroke at the Division II state swim meet Friday in Canton. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
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Skyler Tavenner’s intense training workouts and year-round commitment to the sport paid off in a big way at the state swim meet.
Tavenner, an Indian Lake junior, improved greatly on last year’s state performance Friday by finishing third in the 50 freestyle and sixth in the 100 backstroke in the Division II state championships at C.T. Branin Natatorium in Canton.
As a sophomore a year ago, in his first trip to state, he was seventh in the 50 freestyle and ninth in the 100 backstroke.
He recorded a time of 21.19 in the finals of the 50 freestyle Friday and had a time of 52.27 in the 100 backstroke.
“I feel pretty good about it,” said Tavenner of his performance. “I dropped time and moved up some spots from last year. I still have another year left, so I can build on this next year.”
Tavenner said he felt more comfortable in his second appearance in Canton.
“I was definitely more at ease with the environment here,” he said. “I was more comfortable with the pool and I was able to tune all of the distractions out and focus on what I need to focus on.”
He is already looking forward to improving on his placement next year.
“I always have goals that I am shooting for, and next year I want to win a state championship,” he said.
With Tavenner’s two podium finishes, Indian Lake finished 18th in the boys team standings.
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AMY FULER |
Bellefontaine freshman Amy Fulmer also earned a spot on the podium Friday at the state meet. She finished eighth in the girls 100 freestyle in a time of 52.89.
She added a ninth-place finish in the 50 freestyle (57.64).
Bellefontaine’s Isaiah Brady also competed in the Division II finals on Friday and finished 13th in the boys 100 butterfly with a time of 52.60.
The Chiefs’ Emily Fulmer competed in the 50 freestyle prelims Thursday, but was unable to advance to Friday’s finals.