Two Penn High School grads symbolize Bethel University at NAIA swimming nationwide championship

ELKHART, Ind. (WNDU) – Two Bethel University swimmers who attended Penn High School competed collectively on the NAIA Swimming and Diving National Championship on the Elkhart Health and Aquatic Center.

The championship started Wednesday and concludes Saturday. More than 300 swimmers from universities throughout the nation are competing.

Teammates on and off the pool deck

Ella Sherwood and Avery Woods each swim the butterfly and are roommates at Bethel.

“We wake up early every morning together. We are doing every single fly practice together,” Woods stated.

Woods stated her connection to the game began early.

“My older sister swam and always had a big interest being in the water. My mom had a hard time keeping me above the water — she called me a human fish. My eyes would be bloodshot by the time I was done playing at the pool. My mom put me in swim lessons and stuck with it ever since,” Woods stated.

Sherwood has been swimming since her freshman 12 months of highschool.

Coach Maurer’s return to nationals

Head coach Chadd Maurer is in his first 12 months main the Bethel program, however the nationwide championship shouldn’t be new to him.

“Previous years I have swam this meet — I think it was five years ago. It is a surreal kind of moment coming back and now getting to stand on the side of the pool deck coaching, besides being in the water swimming on the other side of it,” Maurer stated.

Maurer stated he’s happy with the group’s efficiency all through the season.

“I’m extremely proud. Throughout the whole entire year, I want to say it was a 90 percent success rate — all my swimmers getting new best times the entire year,” Maurer stated.

Results

Last 12 months, Woods was named an All-American within the 200 butterfly. On Friday morning, Woods swam the 100 butterfly and positioned nineteenth.

Sherwood tied for fourth place within the 100 butterfly prelims Friday morning, qualifying for the finals Friday evening. The 56.92 time was additionally a private greatest for Sherwood. She went on to complete seventh within the finals.

For a full have a look at nationwide championship outcomes, click here.

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