The PTP pick
Ella Bathurst, Plant
Throughout her high school career, Ella Bathurst has dominated the 100 breaststroke.
After all, she won two straight state titles in the event and owns three of eight fastest times ever recorded in state finals history.
Bathurst, though, was not interested in a three-peat.
Instead, she wanted to pursue titles in the 200 individual medley and 100 back.
The versatile swimmer was well on her way to doing just at regionals, taking home titles in the 200 IM (2:00.98) and 100 back (55.29).
At the 3A state meet, she closed out her high school at the top of the podium — again.
Bathurst won titles in the 200 IM (1:58.24) and 100 back (52.77).
The fans’ pick
McKenna Smith, Academy at the Lakes
The Duke commit showed why she is a state title contender in the 50 free and 100 free by winning district titles in both events.
Smith left the competition in her wake, finishing the 50 free in 24.02 seconds and the 100 free in 52.64. She was ahead of the field by nearly a second in both events.
Those times were fast enough to earn the top seeds at regionals. Smith went on to win both events — again — to put the senior sprinter in position to win titles at this weekend’s Class 1A state meet.
Her performance made her a fan favorite. Smith received more than 53 percent of the votes (1,512) to beat out Academy of the Holy Names’ Kate Pettit, who had more than 45 percent (1,284).
