Cougar boys win three-team meet

The North Putnam boys' swimming and diving team picked up 177 points en route to a win against Covenant Christian (26) and West Central Conference rival Cascade (116) on senior night Thursday.

The Cougars' were boosted by the Senior Night performances of veterans Joe Lehr and Jacob Hendershot.

"It's been a pleasure to coach Joe Lehr and Jacob Hendershot," NPHS coach Tony Gray said. "Joe has been a four-year swimmer that has been instrumental in the development of our swim program. Joe has shown great leadership and is a key motivator for the team. When I need something conveyed to the team from an athlete's perspective, Joe is my go-to guy.

"Jacob has been an awesome addition to our team. Jacob swam in middle school and decided to join our team for his senior year.

"He is an amazing athlete and as he rounds into shape he will be a force for us over the last month of the season."

Lehr and Hendershot helped win the 200 medley relay to open the meet, joined by Dane Gray and Nick Kaufman.

Other winners include the 200 free relay team (Trevor Troyer, Sean Hinners, Hendershot and Kaufman), Gray in the 200 IM and 100 back, Kaufman in the 50 free and Troyer in the 100 free.

"The freshmen really stand out," Gray said. "I told them in practice that they are not freshmen anymore, they are sophomores now.

"Bailey Allen, Jonah Creamean, Andy Rogers, Cameron McPherson and Michael Noble all had stoud performances today. Brandon Wunderlich, another freshman, was unable to swim tonight but has been rapidly improving, also."

The girls' team competed as well, and though the Cougars didn't pick up an event win, they continued a season of progress by finishing second.

"I am so proud of the girls tonight," Gray said. "Having lost meets by one and two points, and also swimming to a tie earlier this season, the win over Covenant Christian was an important step for the girls' team.

"When I came on board last year we had one girl returning. We are now up to ten athletes. The future looks bright for the girls' side."

Cascade (192) won the meet with NPHS (81) and Covenant Christian (56) in its wake.

Gray said the top performers were Elizabeth Alford (second in the 100 and 200 free) and Sierra Livesay, with strong performances in the 50 and 100 free.

"Overall it was an amazing night," Gray said. "53 of the 80 swims were lifetime bests. The kids are really starting to respond to the training and, mentally, understand the dynamics of their individual races.

"I told the kids last year, you have to crawl before you can walk, and you have to walk before you can run. I declared to the kids, 'We are walking now.'"

The Cougars are back in action today when the compete at the Athenian Races at Crawfordsville High School beginning at 9 a.m.