BENTONVILLE -- Bentonville opened its new home pool with a bang Thursday as the Tigers and Lady Tigers posted strong wins at the Bentonville Invitational at the Bentonville Community Center.
The center opened in June, and Bentonville will also play host to the upcoming district and state swim meets.
Team Scores
Swimming Events
Girls
1-Bentonville, 463
2-Fayetteville, 314
3-Conway, 203
4-Rogers High, 164
5-Alma, 133
6-Fort Smith Southside, 117
7-Hass Hall, 113
8-Rogers Heritage, 109
9-Springdale Har-Ber, 103
10-Clarksville, 86
Boys
1-Bentonville, 531
2-Fayetteville, 270
3-Conway, 269
4-Siloam Springs, 212
5-Springdale Har-Ber, 201
6-Fort Smith Southside, 144
7-Haas Hall, 132
8-Rogers Heritage, 89
9-Rogers High, 82
10-Clarksville, 46
"To finally host after 12 years of hard work, and to have this come to light, this was a great, great day," said Bentonville swim coach Nick Nersesian.
The Tigers won the boys division with 531 points while Fayetteville was second with 270. The Lady Tigers finished with 463 points while Fayetteville was second with 314 points.
Bentonville junior Hayden Harlow won the 100-yard butterfly in 52.39 seconds and the 100 freestyle in 47.02. Lady Tigers junior Taylor Pike won the 100 fly in 56.40, almost five seconds ahead of teammate Madeline Marks. Pike also won the 200 yard individual medley.
"We still have some work to do," Nersesian said. "We have a few more things to take care of. We had a few kids miss by hundreds of a second. We are in the ballpark and we couldn't be more pleased with the progress we have made."
Rogers Heritage senior Carly Holland was also a double winner, winning the 100 back in 1:01.26 and 100 free in 55:33.
"These times were not close to her times last year, but she will get there by the state meet," said Heritage coach Julie Sakalares. "She has been working hard, and she will peak at state."
The Fayetteville girls relay team of Morgan Martin, Olivia Keith, Lizzie Stevens and Haley Womack won the 200 free relay in 1:45.70. Bulldogs senior Sam Schach won the 100 breaststroke in a time of 1:02.21.
Rogers High coach Rob Bray said he was pleased with the progress the Mounties and Lady Mounties made at this meet. The Lady Mounties won the Clarksville Invitational Tuesday while the Mounties finished second.
The Lady Mounties 400 free relay team of Kristen Stadler, Caroline Chumley, Emily Efurd and Lisa Lauschke set a school record with a first-place finish in 4:01.27
Lady Mounties swimmer Joy Phillips had a strong effort in the 100 free as the sophomore knocked four seconds off her personal best. Mounties junior Evan Campbell qualified for the state tournament in the 100 back.
"The kids are getting better each week," Bray said. "They picked it up and we had some personal bests in some of the swims. Joy Phillips surprised me today. We had several swimmers that have already qualified for the state tournament that improved, and that will improve their seeding."
Sports on 01/29/2016