Makena Smith earned a swim win Wednesday in the breaststroke in Tippecanoe Valley’s meet against Manchester. InkFreeNews file photo by Mike Deak

By Mike Deak
InkFreeNews

AKRON – In swimming, every point counts. For Tippecanoe Valley’s girls team, a late disqualification cost them in a loss to Manchester Wednesday night.

Leading 74-73 heading into the final 400 free relay, Valley needed its only relay entry to win to assure itself the eight points and a team victory over visiting Manchester. But a disqualification ruling over Valley during the competition – an early start on a relay exchange the culprit – had Manchester’s A and B lanes move up the score sheet, taking a 12-0 margin in points instead of an 8-6 Valley claim, pushing the Squires to an 85-74 victory.

Otherwise, both teams were relatively even on the results sheet. For the Vikings, Shayleigh Honeycutt took the individual medley at 2:39.58 and diving unopposed with 138.20 points. Kendall Craig won the 200 free at 2:23.91 and Ava Craig the 500 free at 7:07.02. Makena Smith added a win in the breaststroke at 1:17.17.

Halle Briner was involved in four wins for the Lady Squires, taking the 50 free (25.48) and 100 free (55.66) as well as helping the medley and 200 free relays to wins.

The Valley boys beat Manchester 76-64.

The hosts took the top spot in nine events, led by doubles from Karl Parker, Carson Parker and Brandon Hoffman. Karl Parker won the IM (2:20.57) and butterfly (1:05.11), Hoffman the 100 free (53.38) and backstroke (1:00.42) and Carson Parker the 200 free (2:02.55) and breaststroke (1:09.46).

Logan Hummitch won diving unopposed at 1:54.65 and Valley posted relay win in the medley and 400 free.