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Firebaugh explosive in prelims, qualifies fifth in 100 Butterfly
INDIANAPOLIS -- Greencastle junior Nash Firebaugh took a big chance prior to the sectional swim meet, electing not to streamline his body by shaving. The idea was that, if he qualified for the Indiana High School Athletic Association State Finals, he would be able turn some heads by dropping time.
The risk paid off as Firebaugh moved up to fifth in the 100-yard butterfly, shaving more than a second from his sectional (and school-record) time, getting down to 50.29 seconds.
"It's been one of my biggest goals since freshman year, watching those guys be on the podium," Firebaugh said. "This is better than what I was hoping to do."
Firebaugh's coach agreed.
"When we watched him swim at practice on Tuesday, I had a feeling we were going to be in for something very special today," GHS swimming coach Kent Menzel said. "It was an absolutely stunning swim by him."
Firebaugh has a tough task ahead of him to move further up the board. He qualified for the state meet in sixth place, and his fifth-best preliminary time puts him in the final heat on Saturday.
But the top swimmer in the meet, Chesterton junior Aaron Whitaker, set a state record in the prelims (47.84 seconds).
Firebaugh's competitors will take notice of his 1.01 second drop, and Menzel said if things go well, the Tiger Cub swimmer could be in for an even bigger race Saturday.
"We got the timing just right (with preparation)," Menzel said. ""His ability to keep calm; his ability to keep his perspective; his ability to go through all of the steps of warm-up like the top level swimmer that he is -- it's all of those things that are really the heart of this swim ... He's a great athlete. He's diligent. He's prepared. He's mindful all the time. He takes care of himself 24-7."
Firebaugh qualified for the state meet in both the 100 fly and the 50 free, though the fly is his stronger event.
His 50 free time at sectionals had him seeded 31 out of 32 competitors, but he dropped more than a quarter-second in that race as well, moving up to 23.
As the 50 free comes one event before the fly, Firebaugh used the race to calm his nerves and get loose, but it also took a focus all its own.
"The 50 was a phenomenal swim for Nash," Menzel said. "The 50 free is so technical that we've still got things to learn about that."
Though Firebaugh failed to move on to Saturday in the 50 as he hoped, the break will allow him to turn his focus to staying calm and concentrating on just a butterfly-mindset.
"Now, all the pressure is off of him and he can just warm up and go after that swim with everything he's got," Menzel said. "I'm convinced that he's got some more in him to deliver for finals tomorrow."
The hard part is over now. Firebaugh moved through the state prelims and into the championship heat on Saturday. With that done, he's free to relax, stay loose and soak in the atmosphere.
"(I can't wait) to walk out of that tunnel and show Indiana what I have," Firebaugh said.