Logan Brugh begins his race in the 500 free consoles during Saturday’s IHSAA swimming finals. (Photos by Nick Goralczyk)

INDIANAPOLIS —February might have a few days left but Fe-BRUGH-ary officially came to a close Saturday afternoon. Wawasee’s Logan Brugh finished his career as the area’s lone competitor at the 79th Annual IHSAA Boys Swimming and Diving Championships.

Brady Robinson served as the lap counter for Logan Brugh.

The Warrior senior punched a ticket to Saturday’s consoles of the 500 free by swimming a 4:40.57 at Friday’s prelims. Brugh entered as the No. 15 seed on Saturday and, while swimming a slower time, worked his way into a 12th place finish with a 4:41.50.

“It felt better today,” Brugh stated. “The time wasn’t better but I definitely felt better, it seemed easier. I honestly felt like there was less pressure. I wasn’t as nervous today and it just felt like a different atmosphere.”

Brugh went on to acknowledge that he had no regrets from his senior campaign despite wishing he placed in the top eight. Brugh’s 12th place effort certainly left him with a better taste in his mouth than his 22nd place finish during his junior campaign.

Wawasee graduates three seniors in addition to Brugh this year, Ethan Knepp, Owen Donahoe and Chase Ritter. The bulk of the talent and depth for the Warriors remains with the underclassmen. This year’s senior class was a determined bunch and Brugh knows that the key for the younger swimmers to succeed is to make it a priority.

“You’ve got to keep working hard and trust that Julie knows what she’s doing,” Brugh remarked, referring to Wawasee’s head coach Julie Robinson. “You have to trust that she knows what she’s doing because she does know what she’s doing. She’s sent plenty of kids to state and she’ll get you here if you want to work hard for it.”

Northridge’s Connor Glenn shows his sign of approval after teammate Spencer Lehman won the 500 free state title.

Northridge had a big day as the team finished fifth overall and Spencer Lehman grabbed a state title in the 500 free (4:25.60) and was state runner-up in the 200 free. The Raiders also placed first, third and fourth in the 500 free with Seth Cripe (4:34.79) and Connor Glenn (4:35.79) coming in behind Lehman.

Concord’s day was highlighted by Stephen Krecsmar’s eighth place finish in the 200 free (1:41.66) and the 200 free relay’s eighth place finish (1:27.14).

Rochester’s Eli Pugh placed 16th in the 200 free (1:43.93) and 15th in the 500 free (4:42.98).

Avon’s 200 free relay team set a new state record at 1:23.20 while Friday’s prelims were highlighted by Chandler Bray’s, also of Avon, record-breaking 100 breast performance. The time of 52.65 set a new state and national record.

IHSAA Official Recap

The 79th Annual IHSAA Boys Swimming & Diving State Finals
Indiana University Natatorium, IUPUI, Indianapolis
February 26-27, 2016

State Champions
200 Medley Relay: Avon (Garrett Hammons, 12; Chandler Bray, 12; Vince Partlow, 12; Grant Sprout, 12) 1:30.72.
200 Freestyle: Troy Li, 12, Carmel, 1:38.59.
200 Individual Medley: Charles Vaughan, 11, Carmel, 1:48.13.
50 Freestyle: Jack Franzman, 10, Zionsville, :20.25.
One Meter Diving: Kevin Frebel, 12, Homestead, 613.35.
100 Butterfly: Ryan Huizing, 12, Carroll (Fort Wayne), :48.51.
100 Freestyle: Jack Franzman, 10, Zionsville, :44.93.
500 Freestyle: Spencer Lehman, 11, Northridge, 4:25.60.
200 Freestyle Relay: Avon (Grant Sprout, 12; Vishaal Mali, 12; Chandler Bray, 12; Vince Partlow, 12) 1:23.20. State Record
100 Backstroke: Tyler Harmon, 11, Zionsville, :48.87.
100 Breaststroke: Chandler Bray, 12, Avon, :53.82.
400 Freestyle Relay: Carroll (Fort Wayne) (Ryan Huizing, 12; Zachary Sagan, 12; Parker Bull, 11; Jackson Kent, 11) 3:05.10.

State Records During Saturday’s Championship Finals
200 Freestyle Relay: Avon (Grant Sprout, 12; Vishaal Mali, 12; Chandler Bray, 12; Vince Partlow, 12) 1:23.20.

State Records During Friday’s Preliminaries
100 Yard Breaststroke: Chandler Bray, 12, Avon, :52.65. National Record

Avon’s Chandler Bray named Herman F. Keller Mental Attitude Award
Chandler Bray was recognized following the state championship meet by the IHSAA Executive Committee as this year’s winner of the Herman F. Keller Mental Attitude Award.

Bray was a member of Avon’s 1st place 200 Medley Relay team, finished 4th in the 200 IM, 1st as a member of the state record holder 200 Freestyle Relay, 1st in the 100 Breaststroke, while becoming the National Record Holder in the 100 Breaststroke during Friday’s prelims with a time of 52.65.

Besides swimming, Bray has been an active member in both the National Honor Society, and Student Athletic Council. Bray has volunteered with Avon Community Swim Team hosted events, community swim lessons, and he has also spent time working with the kindergarten classes at the YMCA of Avon.

He is the son of Corey and Kimberly Bray of Avon and will attend the University of Florida where he will continue competing in swimming while aiming to complete a degree in the medical field.

Each year the IHSAA Executive Committee selects a senior who was nominated by his principal and coach and was determined to have best demonstrated mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability. The award, renamed in 1974, honors the former IHSAA assistant commissioner who served the Association from 1961 to 1973.

The Committee presented $1,000 to Avon High School’s general scholarship fund in the name of Chandler Bray.