By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com
Since October, Madisonville-North Hopkins swimmers have had one common goal: get to state. Today, that goal will be realized by five Lady Maroons who will compete with the Bluegrass' best at Ralph Wright Natatorium in Louisville.
Mary Katherine Kington and Ellen Whittington will each swim in two individual events and North will also participate in two relay races.
"The difficult part is qualifying, so we're here, but we didn't want to let up and rest on our laurels," coach Jason Clark said regarding the week's practice regime. "We want to do well at state too. Really, at this point, the biggest emphasis was on our two relays because you get double points in relays. The better that they do, the better our overall team standings will be.
Kington (100-yard breaststroke, 200-yard individual medley) and Whittington (50-yard freestyle, 100 free) both qualified for the same events as 2008 and will look to improve upon their previous performances.
Last season, Kington took 13th in the 100 breast (1:11.30) while Whittington finished 13th in the 50 free (:25.95) and 15th in the 100 free (:56.90).
Kington, Carli and Ellen Whittington and Kathleen Ewing will participate in the 200 free relay and Kington, the Whittington sisters and Rachel Dorris will swim in the 200 medley relay.
This year marks the fourth consecutive time the 200 free relay has advanced to state and the third year in a row for the 200 medley relay.
Mary Katherine Kington and Ellen Whittington will each swim in two individual events and North will also participate in two relay races.
"The difficult part is qualifying, so we're here, but we didn't want to let up and rest on our laurels," coach Jason Clark said regarding the week's practice regime. "We want to do well at state too. Really, at this point, the biggest emphasis was on our two relays because you get double points in relays. The better that they do, the better our overall team standings will be.
Kington (100-yard breaststroke, 200-yard individual medley) and Whittington (50-yard freestyle, 100 free) both qualified for the same events as 2008 and will look to improve upon their previous performances.
Last season, Kington took 13th in the 100 breast (1:11.30) while Whittington finished 13th in the 50 free (:25.95) and 15th in the 100 free (:56.90).
Kington, Carli and Ellen Whittington and Kathleen Ewing will participate in the 200 free relay and Kington, the Whittington sisters and Rachel Dorris will swim in the 200 medley relay.
This year marks the fourth consecutive time the 200 free relay has advanced to state and the third year in a row for the 200 medley relay.
Clark said it's the last time for the girls as a group to get a medal because this is Kington's senior season.
"I would love to see those girls get up there and get a medal," he said.
The top eight finishers from each event will advance to the finals round.
In 2008, the 200 medley relay team finished 10th (1:56.12) and the 200 free relay claimed 13th (1:45.23).
This year, Clark said the relay teams are seeded eighth and ninth respectively.
Kington and Ellen Whittington will no doubt be ready for their relays after swimming individually as well, but North's other three swimmers will have to prepare in the natatorium's second pool, which will be used for open warm-ups.
"We're going to make sure Rachel and Carli and Kathleen all get in and have their reps in and have their bodies warmed up and ready to go actually prior to racing," he said.
There is also a chance Carli Whittington may swim individually since she is the first alternate for the 100 free, which she qualified for last year.
"I'm hoping to get there and they say 'Hey, guess what? Somebody scratched,' and Carli is in there again," Clark said. "We'll have to see."
Clark and the Lady Maroons maintained their rigorous practice regime this week at the Hopkins County Family YMCA in preparation for today's action.
"We really took an opportunity to fine tune our relay transitions, fast aggressive starts, fast finishes and make sure we have those transitions down as well as we can," he said.
Thursday night, Clark and the swimmers traveled to Louisville for a warm-up swim at the natatorium.
The "swim-through" will help North adjust to its environment and surroundings.
"We want to make sure we have our stroke counts down for those that are swimming backstroke," Clark said. "We want to make sure where our breaths will be when we are swimming the length, make sure we get off the turns and get past those flags."
Clark said the girls will also work on getting comfortable with the pool's blocks, which are different from most other schools.
In addition, Thursday's session will present more simplistic benefits.
"Really, we'll have an opportunity to get our body used to the water temperature because every pool you swim has a different water temperature," Clark said. "You can get over that initial shock and at least kind of a have an idea of what it's going to be like."
North begins the state finals swim meet today at the University of Louisville.
"I would love to see those girls get up there and get a medal," he said.
The top eight finishers from each event will advance to the finals round.
In 2008, the 200 medley relay team finished 10th (1:56.12) and the 200 free relay claimed 13th (1:45.23).
This year, Clark said the relay teams are seeded eighth and ninth respectively.
Kington and Ellen Whittington will no doubt be ready for their relays after swimming individually as well, but North's other three swimmers will have to prepare in the natatorium's second pool, which will be used for open warm-ups.
"We're going to make sure Rachel and Carli and Kathleen all get in and have their reps in and have their bodies warmed up and ready to go actually prior to racing," he said.
There is also a chance Carli Whittington may swim individually since she is the first alternate for the 100 free, which she qualified for last year.
"I'm hoping to get there and they say 'Hey, guess what? Somebody scratched,' and Carli is in there again," Clark said. "We'll have to see."
Clark and the Lady Maroons maintained their rigorous practice regime this week at the Hopkins County Family YMCA in preparation for today's action.
"We really took an opportunity to fine tune our relay transitions, fast aggressive starts, fast finishes and make sure we have those transitions down as well as we can," he said.
Thursday night, Clark and the swimmers traveled to Louisville for a warm-up swim at the natatorium.
The "swim-through" will help North adjust to its environment and surroundings.
"We want to make sure we have our stroke counts down for those that are swimming backstroke," Clark said. "We want to make sure where our breaths will be when we are swimming the length, make sure we get off the turns and get past those flags."
Clark said the girls will also work on getting comfortable with the pool's blocks, which are different from most other schools.
In addition, Thursday's session will present more simplistic benefits.
"Really, we'll have an opportunity to get our body used to the water temperature because every pool you swim has a different water temperature," Clark said. "You can get over that initial shock and at least kind of a have an idea of what it's going to be like."
North begins the state finals swim meet today at the University of Louisville.
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