Grizzly Cubs lead way in sectional prelims

Host Franklin had the lion’s share of the top qualifying times during the preliminary round of the IHSAA girls swimming sectionals Thursday evening.

The Grizzly Cubs hit the wall first in both the 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay. Individually, Franklin also had top finishes from sophomore Carla Gildersleeve in the 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly, sophomore Ali Terrell in the 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke, sophomore Scarlet Friend in the 50 freestyle and junior Ella Pheifer in the 100 freestyle.

Center Grove junior Jillian Castor swam the top time in the 500 freestyle and also anchored the Trojans’ 400 freestyle relay, which edged Franklin for first.

For Indian Creek, sophomore Lexi Wilhoit took first Thursday in the 100 backstroke.

All of those times will be wiped off of the board for Saturday’s finals, however. Diving preliminaries take place at 9 a.m., with all event finals to follow at 1 p.m.

First-place finishers and anyone who reaches the state cut time in an event will advance to next weekend’s state meet at the IUPUI Natatorium.