Top 16 target

Going to state has become pedestrian.

It’s just what the Patriots do.

But 2019 marked the first time in seven years that they were not competing on the second day of the state finals.

That’s something coach Matt Slavik hopes his girls can change this year.

Jay County High School’s girls swim team returns a host of talented swimmers and adds the last in a string of successful swimmer sisters as it prepares to take on that challenge this season.

“We’ve got a lot of talent returning,” said Slavik, who also has 10 newcomers including several exchange students. “I’m pretty excited. They’re excited. Everybody was ready to start the season and attack it.”

Juniors Ashlyn Dow and Eliza Bader, 2019 sectional champions in the 200-yard individual medley and 100 butterfly, respectively, will anchor the team.

With a different makeup to the team this year — namely the graduation of breaststroke specialist Vivienne Kunkler — Slavik plans to shift Dow to the 100 breaststroke. She’ll also be one of the team’s top sprinters.

“Ashlyn’s working like crazy. I think she’s capable of doing a state breaststroke and have a better swim at state,” said Slavik. Dow was 30th in the individual medley at the state meet last season. “I’m not taking anything away from her in the IM. I just think Ashlyn has a better fit in the 100 breaststroke and the sprint freestyles.”

Bader, who was 29th in the butterfly at state, is expected to return to her signature event. Early on, Slavik said she will likely also swim the backstroke but could also fill in other events as the season develops.

“She’s a rock-solid butterflyer. I think the upside to her butterfly is stronger than her backstroke right now,” he added. “She kind of hit a wall and we’re hoping to get through that this year in her backstroke. … We look forward to seeing where she can go. I think she’s going to come into her own this year.”

Freshman Mara Bader — she’s the youngest of the sisters following Sophie and Alex, both of whom now swim for Ball State University, and Eliza — will look to fill some key roles as well. She is projected to take over the individual medley slot as Dow shifts her focus elsewhere and will also be a factor in the sprint freestyle races.

“She’s able to step in right now and make an impact in the breaststroke. She and Ashlyn will probably be similar to where Ashlyn and Vivienne were last year,” said Slavik. “I think Mara brings a threat in the IM, whether she knows she is or not yet. And I think that in her freestyle events, if I go by times from last year, she’s already one of our top three freestylers.”

Leading the other top returning swimmers is senior Erica Hathaway, a former state qualifier who was third in the 500 freestyle and fourth in the 200 freestyle during last season’s sectional. She’ll be back in the distance events again.

Also back after placing in the top eight at the 2019 sectional meet are junior Lilli Clemmons (fourth - 100 backstroke, fifth - 100 freestyle), junior Rieley Brewster (fourth - 100 butterfly, seventh - 200 IM), sophomore Elayna Paro (sixth - 500 freestyle, seventh - 100 breaststroke) and Emma James (eighth - 100 breaststroke).

In addition to the individual events, Slavik expects to be able to put together a relay that can challenge for a spot in the top 16 in the state. They were 24th in the 200 freestyle relay last season and 25th in the medley relay, failing to advance anyone to the finals or consolation finals for the first time since 2012. (That span included state medals for Sophie and Alex Bader, and their cousin Anne Vormohr, who also swims for BSU.)

“I think we can make a run at it. That’s our goal, to get a relay back on Saturday,” said Slavik. The last time that happened was 2016 when the Patriots were 13th in the 200 freestyle relay and 14th in the medley relay. “But we need to have some consistency through the season.”

And before they worry about the state finals, they’ll have to get there by earning sectional titles. That will be no easy task, Slavik said, as 2019 sectional runner-up Norwell is primed to challenge the defending champion Patriots for their crown.

“Norwell has a phenomenal freshman class coming in,” said Slavik. “We’ve got to have a lot of underclassmen step up to hang with them. ...

“We have to have everybody scoring. We won’t be able to afford to not have somebody in the top 16 at sectional.”