PERU — The ILVY Dolphins swim team traveled to the short course state competition this past weekend where multiple swimmers had the opportunity to stand on the podium. Two 21 and under swimmers also made National cuts and will travel to North Carolina April 3-7th to represent the ILVY Dolphins. Senior Nolan Deats had previously made a cut in his 100 Butterfly earlier in the season. Over the weekend he added the 50 Freestyle, 200 Backstroke, 100 Freestyle, and 100 Backstroke. Joining Deats at Nationals again this year will be senior Owen Phillips in the 200 Breaststroke and the 100 Breaststroke.
Other swimmers with outstanding times included Blake Baker, a 21 and under swimmer who placed first in both of his events in the 50 Freestyle and the 100 Freestyle. Emily Lowery, a 12 and under swimmer placed third in the 200 Individual Medley, fourth in the 100 Butterfly and 500 Freestyle, and fifth in the 50 Freestyle. 8 and under swimmer Callie Reese took fourth in the 25 Backstroke. Samantha Nauman, a 14 and under swimmer placed fifth in both the 200 Individual Medley and the 100 Backstroke, as well as sixth in the 1650 Freestyle, seventh in the 200 Backstroke, and eighth in the 200 Freestyle. 21 and under swimmer Chris Lowery placed tenth in the 100 and 200 Breaststroke. Deats is also the state champion in the 100 Butterly.
In relays, the Girls 10 and under team consisting of Chloe Short, Claire Lowery, Keelie Duden, and Callie Reese placed seventh in the 200 Freestyle Relay. The boys 10 and under team also placed seventh in the 200 Freestyle Relay with swimmers James Lowery, Easton Strand, Rayce Bankson, and Patrick Short. The 21 and under boys had three relays place on the podium over the weekend, Phillips, Deats, as well as Chris & Brian Lowery, placed fourth in the 400 Medley Relay, fifth in the 200 Freestyle Relay, and sixth in the 200 Medley Relay.
The ILVY Dolphins will begin their summer-long course season in April and will travel throughout the Midwest to compete in 50-meter pools. The ILVY Dolphins Swim team is based out of the Illinois Valley YMCA and has opportunities for swimmers to join the team year-round.
