By Chris Bennett
Correspondent
Jacob Truesdale won two events and dropped nine seconds in the 400-meter freestyle and helped the Elkhorn Area High School boys swimming team to a 113-54 Southern Lakes Conference victory over Whitewater Jan. 12 at home.
The Elks competed Monday in a SLC meet at home against Burlington Co-op. The Elks swim Saturday in an invitational at Kenosha Bradford High School.
“I thought it would be a little closer,” Richardson said of the outcome against Whitewater. “They have some good swimmers.”
Richardson said the Whippets beat the Elks in the 200 medley relay at the SLC Relays, but the Elks returned the favor in the dual meet.
The Elks’ Brevin Kruse, Kalib Gorecki, Brett Schmieden and William Pyle won the event in 2:04.07, which bested their seed time by more than four seconds.
Richardson said a strong anchor leg from Pyle helped secure the victory for the Elks. Kruse also turned in a personal best time in the 50 in his leg of the relay.
“To come out with a win in the medley relay was good,” Richardson said. “I knew it was going to be close.”
Truesdale won the 200 freestyle in 2 minutes, 21.22 seconds and the 400 freestyle in 4:53.20. The 400 converts to the 500 freestyle in a pool measured in yards. Richardson said Truesdale tried to keep the same 50 splits for each leg of the 400.
“He’s already swimming faster than he was last year,” Richardson said. “Nine seconds in the 500 is a huge amount of time. He’s set some goals and he wants to be in the top two of the conference. He’s really been working hard and is focused on what it takes to make himself better each meet.”
Pyle won the 100 meter freestyle (1:02.22). Kruse won the 100 backstroke (1:09.27) and Gorecki won the 100 breaststroke (1:19.29).
Spencer Ingersoll finished second in the 200 freestyle (2:29.47) and dropped three seconds off his previous best.
“Right around Christmas time we moved him up to a more challenging workout lane, and I think it’s working out for him,” Richardson said.
Logan Radlein finished second in the 200 individual medley (2:37.50) and 100 butterfly (1:09.58). Pyle finished second in the 50 freestyle (28:00). Gorecki finished second in the 400 (5:11.33).
Radlein, Truesdale, Connor LaFavor and Pyle finished second in the 400 freestyle relay (4:13.60) and bested their seed time by more than 11 seconds. John Ames, Derek Gauger, Ingersoll and Dakota Biefeld finished second in the 200 freestyle relay (2:02.05).
“We’re dropping time every meet, and that’s where we need to be,” Richardson said. “We’re trying to keep the energy level high as we head into the postseason.”
