The Flyer Group

 

By Ryan Palencer

INDIANAPOLIS — With all of the pressure that comes along with competing at the state finals at the IUPUI Natatorium, the 2009 class of Hendricks County swimmers and divers were up to the challenge.

Diving was a big event for county competitors this year, as three of the top six divers in the state hail from Hendricks County. Plainfield’s Tyler Clingerman finished second, while the brother combination of Avon’s Ross and Thomas Dreher finished fourth and sixth, respectively.

Clingerman was able to overcome many obstacles this season, which included diving with a partially torn ACL.

“Now I get to go have surgery,” Clingerman said. “I have a partially torn ACL. I have been having knee problems for years, so I guess I just deal with the pain.”

Next for Clingerman is college in Daytona.

Ross Dreher was proud with his, along with Thomas’ efforts in the finals. He was also pleased to increase his score and place from his junior season.

“It’s amazing,” Ross Dreher said. “Last year, I finished seventh and (Thomas) finished 22nd. To have him in the top ten with me this year is absolutely amazing. I’m really proud of him and I’m definitely proud of myself. I beat my score and increased my place from last year.”

Thomas Dreher was pleased with his progress from his freshman year, but also enjoyed the opportunity to finish in the top six with his brother.

“It’s amazing, I never thought that I would have been able to do this well,” Thomas Dreher said. “Freshmen year, I never would have thought that I would have been able to get to this level. Me and Ross going four and six is just awesome.”

Next for the Drehers is college. Thomas is looking at Southern Illinois, while Ross has targeted either IUPUI or Indiana University.

Tri-West’s John Van Dyke was the county’s top performing swimmer. Van Dyke finished fourth in the 100 butterfly, and fifth in the 200 freestyle.

“It’s incredible,” Van Dyke said. “It’s got to be the best feeling ever. I was hoping just to hold my seed and drop my time. To be able to hold my seed, drop my time, and still medal is incredible.”

The opportunity to race in two final competitions allowed Van Dyke to calm his nerves about swimming on such as large stage.

“After running the first race, it got the nerves out of the way for my bigger swim,” Van Dyke said. “I was pretty nervous and it was nice to get everything calmed down.”

Van Dyke has high aspirations for himself while preparing for next season.

“Hopefully a state title,” he said. “I am praying for it.”

Brownsburg’s Luke Haynes got an opportunity to compete in two events as well, medaling in one of them. Haynes finished eighth in the 100 butterfly and 16th in the 50 freestyle.

“It feels great,” Haynes said. “I’m glad that I made top eight.”

With hard work in the off-season, Haynes knows that he will be faster next season.

“I want to be faster next season,” Haynes said. “With the help of my clubs this summer, I guarantee I will be better next year.”

Plainfield’s Michael Mohler also got an opportunity to compete in a pair of events on Saturday. He finished ninth in the 200 freestyle and 12th in the 500 freestyle.

“I was hoping to compete in two events,” Mohler said. “I was hoping to be in a final, but it just didn’t happen last night. It is still good to be in two events in one day.”

Mohler is just a junior and with much of his competition in his events being seniors, he eyes next season as an opportunity. Mohler will also see a familiar face next season in the 200.

“I should be ranked second coming in for the 200 with John (Van Dyke), who’s a good friend of mine,” Mohler said.