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Freshman Sychra provides instant impact
Selah Smith finishes runner-up in 200 IM; team places third
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
WILLIAMSBURG — A common name can be seen in many of the Williamsburg girls swimming teams top relay times this season.
That name belongs to freshman Ruby Sychra, who has stepped into a key role right away in her first season.
In the Williamsburg Invitational Monday, Sychra competed on three relay teams, highlighted by fourth place finishes in the 200 and 400-yard freestyle relays.
“Ruby has done a really good job,” head coach Mindy Wuebker said.
“There’s definitely things as a freshman you have to learn, especially maturing and learning how to push hard in practice. She’s done a really great job with that, and so have the other underclassmen.“
Other underclassmen have also stepped into contributing roles for the Raiders so far this season.
The Invitational Monday included five other competing teams: Grinnell, Oskaloosa, North Scott, Vinton-Shellsburg and Tipton.
The Raiders placed third on the night with 276 points, behind Oskaloosa’s 327 and Grinnell’s 392.
“Our JV swimmers really showed up tonight,” Wuebker said. “It’s just about learning how much they can push themselves. They’ye learned how to push when they are tired and sore.”
Building that ability to push through tired legs is important, especially as the postseason is quickly approaching with the conference meet next week.
“Not feeling good at the end of the race is a given in swimming and feeling crappy when you’re done,” Wuebker said. “That means you had a good race usually.”
The Raiders had one podium finish from Selah Smith in the 200 individual medley. She finished second by just 0.06 seconds.
Including the two fourth-place relays, the team had five fourth-place finishes on the night.
Of top individual finishers for the Raiders in individual events, Michaela Karagogova finished faster than her seed time in the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:20.48.
It was also senior night for two swimmers on the team — Selah Smith and Jaymie Sherlock.
“I’ve really enjoyed coaching both of them,“ Wuebker said. ”Selah has been a strong leader in the pool in showing what it means to work hard and Jaymie has grown so much in her abilities.“
Williamsburg will have one more meet before the postseason begins Thursday, Oct. 23 with the North Central Conference meet at the Grinnell College Natatorium.
The Raiders will know their regional destination Thursday, when the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union announces assignments.
“We have a few spots up for grab for the postseason,” Wuebker said. “I’m excited to see what we can do.”
Team Scores
1. Grinnell 392, 2. Oskaloosa 327, 3. Williamsburg 276, 4. North Scott 103, 5. Vinton-Shellsburg 98, 6. Tipton 72
Event Results
(Winners plus top Williamsburg finishers)
200 medley relay — 1. Grinnell, 2:08.67; 6. Williamsburg (Karagogova, Sherlock, Hirko, Ridenour), 2:24.77
200 freestyle — Maya Stortz (North Scott), 2:20.31; 4. Shiloh Smith, 2:34.61
200 individual medley — 1. Kyliee Zylstra (Grinnell), 2:31.54; 2. Selah Smith, 2:31.60
50 freestyle — Penelope Morrison (Oskaloosa), 25.93; 7. Ruby Sychra, 30.00
100 butterfly — Ellie Fross (Oskaloosa), 1:10.97; 5. Claire Hirko, 1:25.31
100 freestyle — Isabel Kenkel (Grinnell), 58.05; 4. Selah Smith, 1:00.65
500 freestyle — Kyliee Zylstra (Grinnell), 5:43.44; 5. Shiloh Smith, 6:57.29
200 freestyle relay — 1. Oskaloosa, 1:47.85; 4. Williamsburg (Ridenour, Sychra, O’Connell-Gabriel, Selah Smith), 1:58.77
100 backstroke — 1. Vivian Bolibaugh (Oskaloosa), 1:07.77; 7. Michaela Karagogova, 1:20.48
100 breaststroke — Anna Lindberg (Grinnell), 1:16.43; 8. Liahna Malin, 1:26.46
400 freestyle relay — 1. Grinnell, 4:07.95; 4. Williamsburg (Sychra, Shiloh Smith, O’Connell-Gabriel, Selah Smith), 4:28.09
