Girls swimming: Blocher leads Munster to 24th title
By Josh Lichtenfeld Post-Tribune correspondent February 4, 2012 11:48PM
Members of Munster's 200 Yard Medley Relay team, Brittany Gilbert, Emily Wimmer, Nicole Smith, and Mary Beth Blocher celebrate their win during the girls swim sectionals on Saturday, February 4, 2012, in Crown Point. The Munster girls set a new pool record with a time of 1:44:10. | Scott R. Brandush~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 6, 2012 8:25AM
CROWN POINT — It only took a few races for the Munster fan base to start chanting her name. “We’ve got Blocher, We’ve got Blocher.”
In one of the state’s fastest sectionals, at Crown Point, sophomore Mary Beth Blocher contributed to all four of the Seahorses’ victories as Munster won 527-440.5 over the runner-up Bulldogs for its 24th crown. Lake Central took third with 404.5 points.
All three coaches of the top finishers had much to smile about.
Out of the 12 events, 26 individuals and teams qualified for next weekend’s state tournament. And while in many cases multiple finishers per event met the state cut line, the records board at the CP natatorium will be living proof as six pool and sectional marks were set.
“It’s going to be one of the fastest sectionals in the state, no doubt,” Munster coach Matt Pavlovich said after taking a celebratory swim.
As robust as these finishes were, though, it all began with the opening event, the 200 medley relay. Munster’s squad of Blocher (the anchor), Brittany Gilbert, Emily Wimmer and Nicole Smith set pool and sectional records (with its time of 1:44.10) in a race that featured two other advancing teams.
From there, Blocher took both sprints (including the sectional record of 52.22 in the 100 free) titles and finished the day with pool and sectional records on the winning 400 free relay team (3:30.75).
“I’ve just been working really hard all season and I’ve been mentally preparing for this,” Blocher said.
Bulldogs freshman Aly Tetzloff earned pool and sectional records in the 100 fly (55.26) and 100 back (56.05) and LC’s sophomore Tracilyn Muszalski set the pool record in the 500 free (5:05.94).
“I have a lot of confidence in what’s going to happen next weekend,” Crown Point coach Bryon Angerman said.
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