“I’m still not 100 percent satisfied. Last year I was runner-up in both events also,” said Crew, who also finished second in the 200 individual medley. “I would have liked a little improvement but my name is still on the record board (in the 100 breast) so it’s safe for another year. It definitely came as a surprise. I know I can go faster. To hit it in prelims was really nice.”
Along with four second-place finishes Crew also finished fifth in the breast and seventh in the 200 IM as a sophomore.
In the 200 IM on Friday, the University of Kentucky recruit was in contention with top-seeded Sydney Lofquist before the Oakwood sophomore pulled away. Crew finished in 2:03.60, nearly two seconds off Lofquist’s pace.
“You work so hard to get to this point, by the time you’re here it’s icing on the cake,” Crew said. “Obviously everyone wants to win. You have to have fun more than anything.”
Adding to that was sharing the state tournament experience with her brother Justin, a Shawnee sophomore. He finished sixth in the 500 freestyle and seventh in the 200 free.
“It’s amazing. He’s been injured and he’s handling it really well,” Crew said. “I always get on him more than he will on me, but he does really well. If he gets regular training in he could be unstoppable.”
In other boys action Friday, Catholic Central senior Jeff Ross finished fourth in the 100 fly (51.50) and sophomore teammate Matt Pettit finished sixth in the 100 backstroke (52.96). For the girls, Catholic Central sophomore Ragen Engel finished sixth in the 50 free (24.26) and eighth in the 100 breast (1:06.40).
The state meet continues today with the Division I diving championships and swimming finals. Springfield freshman Maddie Shaffer will compete in the finals of the 50 freestyle and the consolation for the 100 fly.
About the Author