INDIANAPOLIS — It was a field of 512 individuals hailing from over 80 different schools at the prelims of the 79th Annual IHSAA Boys Swimming and Diving State Championships. The Indiana Natatorium was not very receptive to most local swimmers Friday evening as just one qualified for Saturday’s races out of the eight possible events.

Logan Brugh

Wawasee’s Logan Brugh had two chances to make it back and hit the mark in his second event. The senior swam a 4:40.57 in the 500 free to clinch a spot in the consoles of the event.

“I’m really proud of him,” said Wawasee head coach Julie Robinson. “He was really unsettled in that 200 so it was great to see him shake that off and do so well in the 500. I’m hoping that we can just come in and have him swim like I know he can swim. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Brugh finished seventh in his heat of the 200 free, leaving him five spots out of the consoles with his time of 1:44.23.

Wawasee’s other state qualifier was sophomore Brady Robinson. The underclassman made his first trip to the IHSAA state finals and will certainly be drive to return.

“Even though Brady was sick I just don’t think he looked like he was ready to race like he usually does,” said the coach. “I think mentally that’s something he can work on. Being here for the first time, those stars can get in your eyes.

“It was a hard week for both guys without having school all week. That takes you out of your routine. It made the taper very difficult. You’re not getting up at the same time, you’re eating different. Not having a week of a school was not the best thing.”

Warsaw had issues of its own on Friday. The Tigers did not advance anyone through to Saturday and started their day with a bus breakdown. The unplanned delay certainly effected the mental side of Warsaw’s approach to the day. The trip was longer, the team arrived at the hotel and natatorium later than planned leaving the team with a fatigued feeling.

Despite all of that, the Tigers were still able to clock times in the neighborhood of where they wanted them to be.

“Do the best that you can and drop time,” said Warsaw head coach Tony DeBrota. “That was the message this week. That’s all I wanted from these guys. I’m not going to tell someone to get top-eight when we can’t really control that. Relays we were a little upset about but individuals we were happy with.”

Ethan Cook was the first Tiger to get in the pool on Friday. The senior swam a 22.40 to finish third in his heat. Fellow senior Zach Taylor topped his seed time (55.75) in the 100 back by swimming a 55.13.

Matt Wildman, another senior, also topped his seed time (1:02.90) with his swim in the 100 breast. Wildman clocked a 1:01.99 in the event.

Cook, Adam Doyle, Alex Cook and Wildman made up the team’s 200 free relay and clocked a 1:29.57, placing them fourth in their heat.

Cook, Evan Borchers, Hudson Snyder and Wildman swam a 3:18.72, just over a second off their seed time (3:17.48) in the 400 relay.

The Tigers will graduate some important pieces but have plenty to look forward to next season.

“I see some things that the swimmers can work on and that I can work on as a coach, going into next year,” said DeBrota. “I definitely have some ideas of how to changes practices around. I hope the good leadership will continue and that the commitment to giving it your all in practice will continue as well.

“I think we’ve got a good group of guys that will keep those things going.”

Northridge had a huge night at The Nat. The Raiders returned swimmers in 10 events, including three in the top five of the 500 free. Spencer Lehman will be the top seed in the distance event (4:29.61), followed by teammates Connor Glenn (4:34.57) at four and Seth Cripe (4:35.22) at five.

Lehman also qualified for the finals in the 200 IM (1:49.21). Cripe (1:40.53) and Logan Elijah (1:41.52) will both be in the finals of the 200 free while Glenn will be in the consoles of the event. Tristan Adami (21.70) made it back for the consoles of the 50 free while Camden Koch (51.38) picked up a spot in the 100 back finals. Elijah (46.88) will also swim in the consoles of the 100 free. Jesse Drake (58.15) earned a spot in the 100 breast consoles.

The Raiders medley relay (1:36.31) will swim in the consoles but the 200 free (1:26.11) and 400 free relays (4:07.46) will both be top five seeds on Saturday.

Concord has both Stephen Krecsmar (50.07) and Cameron Green (51.65) in the consoles of the 100 fly. The Minutemen 400 free relay (3:11.52) will swim in the consoles while the 200 free relay team (1:26.12) will swim in the finals.

Other local results included Bremen’s William Serf (47.37) qualifying for the consoles of the 100 free and Rochester’s Eli Pugh (4:39.32) getting a spot in the 500 free consoles.

One state record fell on Friday night as Avon’s Chandler Bray broke the 100 breast record (53.19) with his time of 52.65.

Swimming and diving finals begin at 1 p.m. Saturday.