Cougars come close to swimming sweep

ROACHDALE -- The North Putnam boys' and girls' swimming and diving teams some of their most successful meets of the season on Monday against West Vigo.

The boys' team won 121-64 and the girls' battled to a 62-all tie.

Leading the girls' team were Elizabeth Alford, with wins in the 50- and 100-free, Lyndsay Roberts, winning the 100-breast, and Autumn Wolf, winner of the 500-free.

The 200 freestyle relay team of Rebecca Muse, Samantha Freije, Roberts and Alford also won.

"The Lady Cougars were shorthanded again with illness and injury, but found a way to fight for a tie," NPHS coach Tony Gray said. "I am amazed at the guts the girls show every time out.

"We had two of our girls out tonight, but everyone stepped up and swam as a team."

The boys' team picked up wins from Joe Lehr (200-IM and 100-back), Nick Kaufman (100-free and diving), Trevor Troyer (500-free) and Dane Gray (200-free).

The relay teams swept wins, with contributions from Gray, Lehr, Troyer, Kaufman, Jacob Hendershot, Jonah Creamean and Baily Allen.

Many of the boys were swimming in unfamiliar events, Gray said.

"This was a fun night for the boys," Gray said. "The kids needed a break from the main events they focus on. With this being our (academic) finals week I wanted to take some pressure off the kids."

The Cougars are back in action on Thursday when they host North Montgomery at 6 p.m.