Swimmers from around the state will meet at one of three sites for this year’s KHSAA State Swimming Championships with locals heading to Russell Springs for their final.
Barbourville and Louisville are the other two sites as action will start at 10 a.m. in Russell Springs for the boys with the girls starting their final at 4 p.m.
All four local schools will be represented in Russell Brings as all four have individuals swimming and also had relay teams qualify.
Owensboro Catholic’s Cort Hobelmann was the top local qualifier as he has the top time in his semi-state site in the 50-yard freestyle and the second-best time in the 100-yard backstroke.
This is Hobelmann’s fourth trip to state but he admitted this year won’t be like his previous trips.
“It’s a little different just because it’s a new environment because it’s semi-state,” he said. “I’m not familiar with the pool or anything but it shouldn’t be a problem.”
Even though he’s never been to the pool at Russell Springs, Hobelmann said the surrounding factors don’t matter as much.
“It’s more of focus on me and getting to where I think I should be in order to prepare myself for the races I have,” he said.
Other locals that have top-five times in their semi-state event are: Owensboro (200-yard medley relay, 200-yard freestyle relay), DC’s Trevor Church (50-yard free, 100-yard freestyle) and OHS’s Abby Warren (100-yard breaststroke).
Church, a sophomore for the Panthers, said he feels the future is bright after qualifying for two events as a sophomore.
“It feels good because I feel like I have a lot of potential junior and senior year, in both my individuals and our relay,” he said.
Church said he’s looking forward to the opportunity tonight but he’s trying to keep himself centered at the same time.
“To be successful today I’ll have to do everything that all my coaches and I have been talking about,” he said. “We’ve been working on a lot of things for sprints lately and I have to keep everything we’ve been working on in mind to be successful today.”
Here’s how local swimmers rank in their state site (Russell Springs). Final places won’t be known until all three sites are concluded.
Girls 200-yard medley
5. Owensboro
8. Daviess County
Boys 200-yard medley
8. Owensboro Catholic
10. Apollo
Boys 200-yard freestyle
7. Jack Raymer (Catholic)
12. Luke Mallot (Apollo)
Girls 200-yard IM
12. Ella Johnson (DC)
Girls 50-yard free
7. Abby Warren (Owensboro)
Boys 50-yard free
1.Cort Hobelmann (Catholic)
4. Trevor Church (DC)
Boys 100-yard butterfly
11. Jack Raymer (Catholic)
Boys 100-yard freestyle
5. Trevor Church (DC)
Girls 500-yard freestyle
13. Mary Kate Hayden (Catholic)
Girls 200-yard freestyle relay
4. Owensboro
Boys 200-yard freestyle relay
7. Daviess County
9. Owensboro Catholic
Boys 100-yard backstroke
2. Cort Hobelmann (Catholic)
8. Luke Mallot (Apollo)
Girls 100-yard breaststroke
3. Abby Warren (OHS)
Girls 400-yard freestyle relay
6. Daviess County
Boys 400-yard freestyle relay
8. Daviess County
12. Apollo
