If there was one sure bet Saturday during the Class 6A State Swimming Championships, it was Westmoore's Dakota Wheeler. Last season he destroyed the competition on his way to titles in the 100-fly and 100-breaststroke. He was settling for no less as a senior.
Wheeler swam a 51.04 to win the 100-fly and a 59.50 in the 100-breast. He wrapped up his prep career with four state championships.
"It's pretty amazing," Wheeler said. "Whenever I started as a freshman, I didn't think I was going to go very far. But I just kept it up and that's what happens, I guess."
Despite other swimmers breaking records and also pulling off the double title feat, it was Wheeler who was named the Swimmer of the Year. And he did all this with a sinus infection.
Wheeler was able to sneak up on swimmers last as a junior when no one outside of Cleveland County knew much about him. However, as a senior, he was a target, which made defending his titles tougher than winning them the first time.
"Because every one is going for you and it's even harder," Wheeler said. "They are going to talk trash. And you are like 'oh my gosh, maybe they will beat me.' So it's harder."
The boys overall team title was won by Jenks (321), followed by Edmond North (250). The Trojans also won the girls team title with 327 points. No area team placed in the top three.
Southmoore's Alex Ballard was neck and neck with Union Megan Meyers through the first 150 meters of the 200-IM. But in the final sprint, Meyers pulled away from the freshman. Ballard had to settle for second place in her first individual event of the day.
Ballard picked another second place in the 100-backstroke to make her first state meet a fruitful one.
Ballard's teammate Paul Le edged out Norman North's Wilson Wei for the 100-backstroke title. Being able to win his first state championship was made better by beating his long time rival and friend.
"I have always trained with him since I was five," Le said. "He has always been better than me in the 100 back. I finally beat him."
Earlier in the meet, Le came up short in his first bid for a title in the 100-free. His time of 46.44 was two seconds behind Jenk's Jacob Pearce, who set a new state record in the event.
Even with his first title, Le could not get past not winning the 100-free.
"It feels good," Le said. "I'm still down for the 100-free. I feel I had it."
Le has another year to capture the elusive 100-free style. And with Wheeler graduating, that leaves Le as the top swimmer in area.
However, despite the last two whirlwind seasons, it's hard for Wheeler to believe it's over.
"It just all happened so fast I really didn't... I just went with the flow," Wheeler said. "I kind of wished could have done a couple of things different. But whatever happens, happens."
Sports
Related Photos
-
Kevin Ellis
Jaguar senior collects fourth swim title
Le picks up his first for Southmoore
- Sports
-
-
Haywood finds a new place to play Southmoore alum admits he was the problem at Oklahoma
It didn’t take Austin Haywood long to find a new home. Less than three months after quitting the Oklahoma football team, the Southmoore High alum enrolled at the University of Central Arkansas looking for a fresh start.
-
SaberCats still growing
Coach Wes Brown saw the best and worst of his Southmoore boys basketball team last week. It began with a resounding 57-28 victory
-
Beasley inks with Cowley
Bret Beasley was just glad to get it over with. When the senior signed his National Letter of Intent to play baseball at Cowley Co
-
Signing day has arrived
Today is national signing day for prep athletes around the country. For sports like football and soccer, it’s the first time a high
-
No. 2 OCU holds off Northwestern, 70-69
No. 2 Oklahoma City University women’s basketball escaped with a thrilling 70-69 victory over Northwestern Oklahoma State Saturday at Percefull Fieldhouse.
-
OCU takes fourth consecutive WCWA title
Oklahoma City University collected its fourth consecutive Women’s College Wrestling Association championship on Saturday at the Student Center Complex.
-
Signing day engulfs area schools
As a sophomore, Andrew Long watched many of his Southmoore teammates take part in national signing day. Back then, he couldn’t wait to be part of the hysteria that engulfs college football recruiting.
-
OU scoops tackle
Oklahoma padded its 2012 recruiting class with another commitment on Sunday. Will Latu, Rivals.com’s No. 1 junior college offensive lineman in the country, told SoonerScoop.com he has committed to OU.
-
Evangels knock off the Lady Eagles 61-54
The Mid-America Christian Lady Evangels pulled away in the first half and went on to a 61-54 victory over the Oklahoma Christian Lady Eagles in Sooner Athletic Conference action Saturday in Edmond, Okla.
-
Sports Brief
The Apple Gold Group, franchisee of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bars in North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma and Arkansas
- More Sports Headlines
-
Haywood finds a new place to play Southmoore alum admits he was the problem at Oklahoma
