By Michael Kinney
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."
