Warsaw’s Ian Wihebrink broke one minute in the breaststroke at the IHSAA Boys Swim State Finals Friday night, going 58.83. InkFreeNews file photo by Mike Deak

By Mike Deak
InkFreeNews

INDIANAPOLIS – Day one of the IHSAA Boys Swim State Finals saw almost all of the area talent bow out during preliminary rounds at IUPUI.

Warsaw had three entries in the afternoon session of the prelims, and both individuals dropped times among the work. Michael Ray lowered his 100 free time to 47.96 from his sectional post of 48.13. Ian Wihebrink did the same in the breaststroke, cracking the one-minute mark for the first time this season with a 58.83. His seed time was 1:00.23.

Warsaw’s medley relay also saw Friday become the curtain, posting 1:40.62 to miss qualification for Saturday’s championship rounds. Warsaw’s seed for the medley was 1:39.70.

Wawasee had one swimmer involved in the festivities, Nathan Harper going 53.24 in his best backstroke swim of the season. Harper came in at 54.34 in his freshman campaign for the Warriors.

Only seven area lanes are still alive, and those are claimed by four individuals.

Culver Academy’s Mitchell Schott holds the top time in the state in the 500 freestyle heading into Saturday, sitting at 4:26.57. In the same event, Concord’s Tommy Brunner was 11th at 4:38.26 and Northridge’s Luke Dibley also made the consolations with a 4:39.96, sitting 13th.

Schott is third in the 200 free at 1:37.72 and Dibley 1:41.74 and 12th.

Elkhart’s Lucas Byrd is alive for two title swims, sitting eighth in the 100 (45.80) and fourth in the breast (55.50).

Diving begins Saturday morning at 9, with Concord’s Ethan Smith, Elkhart’s Nick Hardy and Culver Academy’s Reid Omilian working. The swim finals begin at 3:30 p.m.