Pirates have big day at swim state finals

It was another record-setting day for the Pirates at the IHSAA swim state finals held Saturday at the Indiana University Natatorium in Indianapolis. Four swims resulted in four school records for the Pirates.

The state finals began Friday with the preliminary round. The top 16 in each event and relay advanced to Saturday’s consolation and final round.

Harrison Yu represented the Pirates in the 100 butterfly. Yu improved his school record by dropping another .7 seconds off his life-time best time. His time of 51.31 placed him 23rd, improving five positions from his seeded position.

Greensburg’s 200 freestyle relay team of Jack Bennett, Tyler Williams, Joe Hawkins and Yu lowered the school record time to 1:29.43 and placed the Pirates 26th, one place better than the team’s seed position. This was the first Pirates relay team to advance to the state.

Bennett led off the 200 freestyle relay and swam a 21.56 for his 50. The time broke the previous school record by a half second. This record has been held by Derek Baker since 1998.

Capping off the Pirates’ time at the state finals was Bennett’s swim in the 100 backstroke. Seeded 25th, Bennett dropped his school record time from 52.10 to 51.11 and advanced to the consolation round Saturday.

According to Coach Josh Hawkins knowledge, this is the first time a Pirate swimmer has advanced to the second day of competition. Bennett swam a 52.27 Saturday to place 16th in the state.