Springfield-area swimmers — and divers — to know at sectional meet
The boys swimming and diving season comes down to one crucial meet, and the Central State Eight Conference and area teams will be represented in three different sectionals.
Petersburg PORTA, Sacred Heart-Griffin, Southeast and Springfield High will compete at the Champaign Centennial Sectional. Chatham Glenwood, Jacksonville and Jacksonville Routt head to Edwardsville at the historic Chuck Fruit Aquatic Center. Normal U-High is at the Pekin Sectional.
At stake is a berth to the Illinois High School Association state meet in Westmont at the FMC Natatorium on Feb. 23-24. A swimmer must win the event or beat the state qualifying time and a diver must win the event or be among the top 32 sectional scores to advance.
Here are eight swimmers and divers to watch for in alphabetical order:
Logan Allen, Springfield High
The senior has shown some prominence in the 50-yard freestyle and 100 freestyle. Allen placed second in both events at the CS8 meet on Feb. 3 at Eisenhower Pool. He plays another key role in the freestyle in the 200-yard medley relay and 400-freestyle relay.
Riley Herr, Springfield High
The sophomore dropped seven seconds off his 200 individual medley-seeded time to win the race at the CS8 meet. He placed third in the 100 breaststroke and gives the Senators hope by swimming a leg in the 200 medley relay.
Will Hovey, Springfield High
It’s the senior’s last attempt to earn a state berth. He won the 100 backstroke and was second in the 100 butterfly at conference. Hovey is instrumental in the 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays.
Andrew Kotner, Springfield High
The sophomore placed first at the City meet in 1-meter diving before coming up with a 379.15 score to finish second at conference. Kotner expects to be in the hunt for a state berth.
James Maeda, Springfield High
The freshman won the 100 butterfly at conference and has proven to be a big cog in Springfield’s success during the championship season. He will swim the 200 IM at sectional and compete on all three relays, including the 200 freestyle relay.
Xavier Try, Chatham Glenwood
The senior is peaking at the right time after swimming a 21.85 in the 50 freestyle and won the 100 freestyle to boot in 49.45 at conference. Try is attempting to reach his first state meet individually.
Colin Wilson, Jacksonville
Wilson, a junior, placed second in the 100 breaststroke (1:02.90) and fourth in the 100 freestyle at conference. He has previous experience in the breaststroke after taking fifth and swimming a 1:06.16 at sectional last season.
Amir Womack, Southeast
The senior built some confidence when he broke a 25-year-old school record and won the 1-meter diving competition with a score of 398.00 at the CS8 meet. Womack is attempting to reach his first state meet, and along with Springfield’s Kotner, he mentions another competitor that could be standing in his way.
“I’m really hoping I can get to state and with the (conference) score I have, that actually qualifies me for state as (at large),” Womack said after the conference meet. “But going against Urbana’s Max Kooper — he’s going to be a real challenge — so with the two weeks I have to train, I’m going to make sure I get the highest score I can.”
Contact Trevor Lawrence: trevor.lawrence@sj-r.com or at 217-788-1548.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: IHSA boys swimming & diving: Springfield athletes to know at sectional
