The Owensboro and Owensboro Catholic girls’ teams wrapped up their season Saturday at the Pannell Swim Shop/KHSAA Swimming & Diving Championships in Louisville.
Owensboro placed 15th in the overall standings with a score of 73.5, missing out on a top 10 finish by only 6.5 points. Two relay teams advanced to championship heats, where they took 5th in the 200 Freestyle Relay and 8th in the 400 Freestyle Relay.
Samantha Phillips (11th in 500 Freestyle, 12th in 100 Butterfly), Paige Neal (T-14th in 50 Freestyle, 13th in 100 Freestyle) and Julia Smith (11th in 100 Freestyle) each also picked up points for Owensboro with finishes in consolation heats of their individual events.
Head coach Brad Schmied said with the new format of all girls’ events being held in a single day, it was difficult to plan with a small number of swimmers.
“Coach Katlynn Lanham and I discussed several options, each having a serious downside with regard to managing the athletes and the rest needed in between events,” he said. “Our athletes competed with very little rest and still had an incredible state meet. Despite the challenges, I am very happy with our performance overall and most proud the way our team came together under some very stressful circumstances to support their teammates.”
Catholic placed 23rd with 21 points, all of which were earned by Katie Hampel. Hampel finished 7th in the championship heat of the 100 Backstroke and added a 9th-place finish in the consolation heat 200 IM.
OCHS coach Erica Crabtree said Hampel, a senior, ended her last meet with a smile. Crabtree said Hampel will have future success whether swimming or otherwise, and she will be missed on the team.
“She had a positive attitude throughout this entire meet,” Crabtree said. “She was ready and she was pleased with her swims. Swimmers put a lot of pressure on themselves, but today Katie enjoyed herself and it showed. We are proud of her and all of her accomplishments. She has been a huge asset to the Catholic High program for many years and we will miss Katie greatly next year.”
For all swimming events, the field was narrowed to 16 after the preliminary rounds. The eight fastest then faced off in the championship heat, while the second eight fastest advanced to the consolation heat.
200 Yard Medley Relay
The OCHS team of Katie Hampel, Lyndsey Hobelmann, Sydeny Kemper and Hannah Padgett finished 27th with a time of 2:01.97 in the prelims.
The OHS team of Darby Haire, Addison Callis, Sydney Cundiff and Kara Bane Luckett finished 30th with a time of 2:03.31 in the prelims.
200 Yard IM
After placing 9th with a time of 2:08.68 in the prelims to advance to the consolation heat, Katie Hampel (OCHS) finished 9th with a time of 2:07.58.
50 Yard Freestyle
After placing 16th with a time of 25.06 in the prelims to advance to the consolation heat, Paige Neal (OHS) finished T-14th with a time of 25.18.
1 Meter Diving
Lily Scott (DCHS) finished 32nd with a score of 105.10 in the prelims, which were held Thursday.
Abby Warren (OHS) finished 36th with a score of 68.00 in the prelims, which were held Thursday.
100 Yard Butterfly
After placing 10th with a time of 58.46 in the prelims to advance to the consolation heat, Samantha Phillips (OHS) finished 12th with a time of 58.65.
100 Yard Freestyle
After placing 10th with a time of 53.25 in the prelims to advance to the consolation heat, Julia Smith (OHS) finished 11th with a time of 54.18.
After placing 13th with a time of 54.02 in the prelims to advance to the consolation heat, Paige Neal (OHS) finished 13th with a time of 54.77.
500 Yard Freestyle
After placing 10th with a time of 5:08.87 in the prelims to advance to the consolation heat, Samantha Phillips (OHS) finished 11th with a time of 5:12.13.
200 Yard Freestyle Relay
After placing 5th with a time of 1:40.31 in the prelims to advance to the championship heat, the OHS team of Abby Warren, Samantha Phillips, Paige Neal and Julia Smith placed 5th with a time of 1:40.07.
100 Yard Backstroke
After placing 5th with a time of 57.52 in the prelims to advance to the championship heat, Katie Hampel (OCHS) finished 7th with a time of 57.83.
100 Yard Breaststroke
Abby Warren (OHS) finished 24th with a time of 1:11.32 in the prelims.
Addison Callis (OHS) finished 25th with a time of 1:11.56 in the prelims.
400 Yard Freestyle Relay
After placing 5th with a time of 3:38.46 in the prelims to advance to the championship heat, the OHS team of Paige Neal, Samantha Phillips, Abby Warren and Julia Smith placed 8th with a time of 3:40.59.
