By FRED KRONER
Mahomet-Seymour’s boys’ swimming team won three events and broke a school record in another event on Tuesday (Dec. 5) in its season-opening meet at Centennial.
Individual wins were recorded by Owen Kearns in the 200-yard freestyle (1 minute, 51.64 seconds) and Aron Varga in the 100-yard freestyle (50.80 seconds).
The Bulldogs’ 200-yard freestyle relay, which featured Owen Kearns, Emmett Kearns, Arya Malapaka and Varga, was victorious. The foursome was timed in 1:35.99.
Senior Owen Kearns entered the school record book by shattering a 13-year-old record in the 100-yard butterfly (54.73 seconds). He took second in the event.
The previous M-S mark, set in 2010 by Dan Schuh, was 55.49.
The Bulldogs had runner-up finishes in four other events.
Varga placed second in the 200-yard individual medley (2:05.51) as did Emmett Kearns in the 50-yard freestyle (23.40 seconds). Emmett Kearns was also second in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:07.61).
Also ending in the No 2 spot was the M-S 400-yard freestyle relay unit of Varga, Owen Kearns, Malapaka and Emmett Kearns. They were timed in 3:35.41.
Malapaka captured fourth in the 100-yard backstroke (1:09.48). Kirby swam to a fifth-place finish in the 500-yard freestyle (6:14.90).
The other M-S top-five placer was the 200-yard freestyle relay foursome of Jonathan Andrawes, Noah Dyson, Lukas Holleman and Kirby. Their combined time was 2:01.07.
Normal Community was the meet winner (389 points) followed by M-S (277 points), Centennial (251 points) and Metamora (201 points).
“What a great start to the season,” M-S coach Erich O’Donnell said. “It’s always interesting to see where some of the new swimmers race and where we stand this early in the season.
“It’s a good measuring stick. We have a lot of work to do, but we’re already in a good place to have a great season.”
The Bulldogs return to action on Tuesday (Dec. 12) at the Centennial pool against Champaign Central and Danville.
