Eagles backstrokers carry the day for SPHS at swim prelims

South Putnam junior Tayler Arnold (center) enters the water in the 100-yard backstroke at the Plainfield sectional on Thursday, flanked by North Putnam junior Dane Gray (bottom) and Greencastle junior Brant Mangrum (top). Arnold was one of three Eagles to qualify for Saturday's final in the 100 back. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

PLAINFIELD -- With the hard part over, the South Putnam boys' swimming team can get comfortable. Saturday's sectional final is nothing to worry about.

The team was preparing for Thursday, Eagles' coach Matthew Edwards said, and they proved why. SPHS qualified five individuals and the 200-yard relay into Saturday's sectional final.

"We made sure they knew today was the big meet," Edwards said. "We can't do anything on Saturday unless we do something today.

"It's something we've been working on all week. We had a good week last week with (the Putnam County meet) and it was time to move our sights forward."

The Eagles were led Thursday by their backstrokers. All three -- junior Tayler Arnold, senior Matt Lund and freshman Zach Rayce -- qualified for the sectional final.

"Zach Rayce was a big one as a freshman," Edwards said. "I really wanted him coming back. He just works so hard in the pool. For all the guys coming back on Saturday, they work so hard in the season. This being the last meet of the season, we wanted to see it pay off. That happened."

In addition to the backstrokers, Arnold qualified for the 200 IM, Lund is first-alternate for the 100 fly, sophomore Zane Crosby is in the 'B' final for the 100 free and Ben Albright is in the 'B' final for the 500 free.

Tyler Neumann is also set to go for the Eagles as their lone representative in the diving competition.

"We of course want to drop times," Edwards said. "We're trying to cut time and trying to jump some spots ... At big meets like this they get nervous, but it definitely motivates them, too.

"They see the crowd, they hear the cheering and they had a great attitude. I had a good feeling from the start."

Diving will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at Plainfield High School. After a break, swimming will begin at 1 p.m.