BENTONVILLE — Every point becomes a precious commodity during swim meets, and the Arkansas High School Swimming and Diving Championships aren’t an exception.
That’s why coaches hope to see a few pleasant surprises at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock this weekend as the state’s best swimmers and divers convene at the Donaghey Student Center Fitness and Aquatic Center.
“It’s a numbers game,” Rogers Heritage coach Julie Sakalares said. “All of us are the same way; we’re looking for that extra point here or there.
“It’s a matter of whose athlete can outscore the others and see is the team can get a top-five finish. I’m hoping Heritage can do that.”
Bentonville coach Steve Duwel received a pair of those shockers during the North District meet, and he hopes to see similar results from sophomore Andrew Halliburton in the boys 50-yard backstroke and 500 freestyle and freshman Alexa Tinenenko in the girls 50 free this weekend.
“Andrew could definitely turn in some top eight performances,” Duwel said. “He turned some heads by qualifying for the state meet.
“Alexa had no qualifying times going into the district, and now she’s seeded in the top eight in the 50 free. She put a scare into (teammate) Clara Bracy because here’s a freshman ahead of her, and that caught some eyes.”
Sakalares hopes Colton Holland can be that type of performer, too. Holland won both the 100 free and the 500 free during the district meet, and he did it without much fanfare.
“He’s a quiet boy that lets his swimming do the talking for him,” she said. “I thought he had a chance to win district but wasn’t sure about it. Colton is fast in the water, though.”