Vrchoticky qualifies for state meet in Marshalltown
After her performance Saturday at the Regional Meet in Waukee, future Olivet Nazarene swimmer and Cyclone Senior Elaina Vrchoticky qualified for the State Meet, set to be held Nov. 12 in Marshalltown.
Vrchoticky has been one of the leaders of the team this season and head coach Stephenie Dale expressed gratitude for Vrchoticky and how proud she is for how hard she’s battled all season to get to this point.
“I’m personally very excited for her,” Dale said. “I know she’s worked really hard the entire season. She’s really tough on herself, so it’s nice to know she’ll get another week to try to get her to her goals.”
Aurora Miller, a senior and one of the captains of the swim team, will be coming to the meet as a manager with Vrchoticky and Dale. Miller came close to qualifying for the meet, but fell just two seconds shy in the 100 meter breaststroke.
“She [Miller] is one of my three captains and they did absolutely amazing and so they deserve to go experience that together,” Dale said. “That was a loss for her. Even though she had improved her time that she had this entire season, she didn’t get to where she wanted to go.”
Vrchoticky qualified for the state meet in two events: the 50 and 100 meter freestyle event.
“I’m so unbelievably excited,” she said. “This is the first year that I’ve made two individuals in the state. I’m just grateful for the opportunity to be there.”
Between now and when the state meet occurs, Vrchoticky has goals that her mind is set on in order to be at her best.
“I want to work on my turns personally,” Vrchoticky said. “I want to work on a more explosive start off the block, so I can get out further. I also just want to work on endurance and speed in general.”
A familiar face will be helping Vrchoticky out along the way in her former head coach Logan Maxwell.
“It means a lot to me,” she added. “When he came to me and said that he was going to be helping as a second adult essentially, it means a lot to me that he’s going to be there and supporting me throughout that because he was my inspiration Sophomore year. He was the one that pushed me to where I am today and I’m really excited for him to be able to see me swim.”