Pottsgrove’s Basch, Methacton’s Sykes raring to go at states
Ask anyone who qualified, the two weeks between the District 1 Championships and the PIAA Championships can feel like an eternity.
“I just want to get there already,” said Pottsgrove senior Kevin Basch of the PIAA Swimming Championships, which will be held at Bucknell University this weekend. “All season long, this is what we’ve been training for. It’s why we wake up at the crack of dawn and then go back to practice after school. I can’t wait to get up there.”
Basch heads to Bucknell seeded first in the state in the 500 free after he captured his first district gold earlier this month.
“It’s definitely nerve-wracking,” he added, “but that’s what this is all about. I’m really hoping I can end my high school career on a high note.”
Methacton junior Emily Sykes has been similarly antsy to get to states.
“I went to districts mid-taper — I was on about four days rest going into it,” she said. “So it will be nice to go into this on a full taper.
“Swimming is almost always on my mind throughout any given day, but swimming at states is a whole different element. So I’ve been thinking about it constantly. It’s exciting. I can’t wait to hit the water and hopefully cut some time.”
Sykes’ wait won’t be as long. Class AAA competition will kick off on Wednesday and finish up on Thursday while Basch and AA competition will follow on Friday and Saturday.
Sykes will hit the blocks seeded fourth in the 100 breast, ninth in the 200 individual medley and will also take part in Methacton’s 400 free relay, seeded at No. 16. The relay, which included senior Sarah Lebold, sophomore Anna Price and freshman Victoria Zang, broke a school record en route to a seventh-place finish at districts.
Now making her third trip to Bucknell, Sykes will be the only member of Methacton’s representatives with any experience at the PIAA Championships. A season after making the trip as a sophomore along with two seniors, Sykes quickly finds herself in a leadership role.
“I’m excited for my teammates, especially,” she said. “Mentally, I want to keep everyone loose and excited for it. Happy swimmers are fast swimmers.”
Aside from keeping her teammates loose, there is an added intensity at states, where the majority of swimmers have been working to get all season.
“States is definitely one of the most intense meets I’ve been a part of. It’s a long drive to a college pool where we stay overnight, so going in you know how important it is. That definitely adds more energy and intensity to it.”
Pottsgrove’s Kevin Basch comes oh so close to breaking the 500 free record! Finishes at 4:35.22 for the gold! pic.twitter.com/salh3U5KDL
— Thomas Nash (@Thomas_Nash10) March 5, 2016
Entering his final try at states as the No. 1 seed in the 500 free, Basch also admits there is plenty of added pressure, especially as a senior.
“This is the big meet … for all the marbles,” said Basch with a laugh. “I’m trying not to think about it (states) too much at this point, just taking it day by day. I’ve still got a few days to get ready both physically and mentally.”
Basch posted a personal best and nearly record-breaking time of 4:35.22 in the 500 free at districts to capture the gold. He’s also seeded fourth in the 200 free where he took silver with a 1:44.02.
He’ll be joined by teammate Mike Prior, a respective gold and silver medalist in the 200 individual medley (2:00.28) and the 100 back (52.77). Prior will head to Lewisburg seeded seventh in the 100 back and tenth in the 200 IM, while he and Basch will also be a part of Pottsgrove’s 200 free relay, which is seeded at No. 18.
“We’ll see what happens,” said Basch. “Hopefully I can get there and leave my mark, kind of like what I did at districts.”
Under the radar
After battling a fever and serious dehydration conditions that landed her in the hospital during the days leading up to the district championship, Phonenixville junior Maddie Cooke brought a simple “survive and advance” mentality with her to La Salle earlier this month.
Though she clearly wasn’t 100 percent at districts, Cooke survived the meet and advanced to her third go at the state championships. She heads to Bucknell as the No. 14 seed in the 50 free and is seeded sixth in the 100 breast.
“I’m ready to get my revenge,” she said with a laugh. “I know I have a lot to show and I am definitely under the radar so I can’t wait to see what happens.”
Cooke captured a bronze in the 50 free last season at states and just missed medaling in the 100 breast with a ninth-place finish.
Though it was a much difficult road getting there this time around, she admits having two healthy weeks to prepare could make a huge difference.
“I trained hard following districts so I could rest a couple days for states,” she said. “Having the confidence and assurance again has played a huge role for me.”
Cooke will also be a part of the Phantoms’ 200 free relay, which is seeded at No. 18.
Other PAC-10 doings
In AAA action, Owen J. Roberts’ Colin Bauer will take on three events. The senior is seeded No. 13 in the 100 butterfly (51.28) and No. 14 in the 50 free (21.49). He’ll also join the Wildcats’ 200 free relay, seeded 21st at 1:28.07.
Methacton’s Gil Price is seeded No. 20 in the 100 free.
Boyertown’s Patrick Lance enters the championship as the No. 22 seed in the 100 fly (51.81) and the No. 25 seed in the 200 free (1:44.54).
In girls AAA action, Owen J. Roberts juniors Laurel Fink and Morgan Hansen will take part in two events at Bucknell. Fink, seeded 21st in the 200 free (1:54.32), finished 10th last season. Hansen, the No. 11 seed in the 100 fly, took seventh place to close it out last season. The pair will also take part in the Wildcats’ 200 medley relay, seeded at No. 20.
In AA, Pottsgrove’s Emily Glinecke will look to up her results from the state championships last season, where she rode home with two silver medals dangling around her neck. The senior is seeded fourth in the 100 breast and sixth in the 200 free after she captured a respective silver and bronze medal at districts.
