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With Taylor Pike earning attention on a national stage, it's easy for someone such as Madeline Marks to get lost in the shuffle with Bentonville High's girls swim team. Marks, however, was just as vital to the Lady Tigers during the North District Swim and Dive Championships. The sophomore matched Pike point for point to give Bentonville a formidable one-two punch and help the Lady Tigers win the team title Wednesday in the Bentonville Community Center. While Pike was dominant in her two individual events -- the 100-yard butterfly (55.65 seconds) and the 500 freestyle (5 minutes, 0.35 seconds) -- Marks earned victories in the 200 freestyle in 1:57.55 and the 100 backstroke in 1:01.98. The two teamed with Paige Taylor and Loren Hedgecock to win the 200 medley relay, then Marks teamed with Gabrielle Collins, Lauren Hacala and Cerise Stanley to win the 200 freestyle relay. "I'm actually surprised with my results," Marks said. "I'm glad my training has been paying off. "In the 100 backstroke, I've been working on my underwaters lately. My club coach has really pushed me to go as hard as I can in practice and kick out as far as I can, so that really helped." That was beneficial to the Lady Tigers, who won seven of 12 events and compiled 591 points to win the team title. Fayetteville was second with 461.5, followed by Springdale High with 304 and Rogers High with 182. The same could be said on the boys side as Bentonville freshman Ryan Husband matched teammate and Penn State signee Hayden Harlow point for point and helped the Tigers take the team title. Husband earned individual titles in the 200 freestyle (1:46.56) and the 100 freestyle (48.29) while Harlow was the top swimmer in the 100 butterfly (48.29) and the 100 breaststroke (58.88). Those two were also members of Bentonville's winning teams in two relays, teaming with Zane Sutton and Simon Mooney in the 200 medley relay (1:38.25) and with Mooney and Hayden Dixon in the 400 freestyle relay (3:19.92). "I hope I can eventually commit to a school like him," Husband said of Harlow. "He's definitely a more experienced swimmer, and I definitely have to work much harder to be able to match him. "I felt really tired after my races. I wasn't necessarily feeling good in the water, but I knew this was district. I wanted to give it what I've got. I executed and got points for the team, so I'm proud of that." Bentonville, however, had a closer call in the boys standings, defeating second-place Fayetteville by a 480-395 margin. Newcomer Bentonville West finished third with 284, while Rogers High and Fort Smith Southside rounded out the top five with 208 and 190, respectively. "It was interesting the way we came out," Bentonville coach Nick Nersesian said. "We were a little more focused than we have in the past. What's nice about Bentonville's swim program is our boys and girls, at this time of the year, they push each other." On the Class 6A side, Siloam Springs was a runaway winner in the boys division, taking first place in all 12 events and finishing with 648 points to 149 for second-place Mountain Home. Mountain Home claimed the girls title by a 371-314 margin over second-place Russellville, while Siloam Springs finished third with 212. Brittan Butler, who will swim at Oklahoma Christian next year, had individual wins in the 200 individual medley and the 100 backstroke, then played a part in the Panthers winning two relays. Lee Thompson also gave Siloam Springs two individual victories in the 200 freestyle and the 100 butterfly. "Our boys have worked really, really hard this year," Siloam Springs coach Stephanie Goddard said. "It's a good group of boys. We're graduating four seniors, but we will be strong again next season because we've worked so hard. "Brittan has such a great work ethic, and he's such a workhorse. It's been what he's wanted to since he was itty bitty."

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Bentonville Sports Network

BENTONVILLE TEAMS, SILOAM SPRINGS BOYS SHINE

HENRY APPLE

Arkansas Online | 2/17/2017

PHOTO CREDIT: J.T. Wampler