LaValle leads Jackson swimming to state championships

Jackson’s Wade LaValle is only a junior, but already a veteran of the state championship meet in St. Peters, Mo.

The Indians were a Class 1 program when LaValle competed as a freshman. He had a better experience last year after having the Indians’ best finish, placing 23rd in the 500-yard freestyle in 5:05.02.

This weekend, LaValle will lead a group of six Indian swimmers (Jace Glenn, Kevin Cai, Timothy Deyong, Jan Handke, and Lucas King) in the Class 2 state championship meet, starting on Friday, Nov. 10. LaValle will compete in the maximum total of four events, two individual (200-yard and 500-yard freestyle) and two relays.

“I gotta focus on racing everyone else,” LaValle said. “When we’re as a team, we get to race with each other and push each other. I think it’s just really fun being there with the relays.”

LaValle said he has the best chance to make it to the finals on Saturday, Nov. 11, in the 500-yard freestyle, where he shaved his personal best to 5:00.42.

“I’m just way better at holding the same pace throughout the whole thing,” LaValle said. “I’m better at endurance. I can’t sprint very well.”

Ironically speaking, LaValle prefers the sprint events and detests distance.

“But I can do it a lot better,” he said. “So that’s kind of what I’m stuck with. I grew up swimming with distance swimmers, and they continue to push me and try to make me better.”

LaValle needs to crack the top 16 to make it to the finals on Saturday. He believes if he can reach a new personal record, he could reach all-state status.

“I’d like to be under five minutes,” LaValle said. “As long as I have a good swim and I swim the best that I know I can, I’ll be happy with the result.

Jackson will also swim in the 200-yard and 400-yard freestyle relay, as well as the 200-yard medley relay. Handke will also swim in the 100-yard breaststroke.

Local state qualifiers for Class 1 include Thomas Hasz and Mason Landewee of Saxony Lutheran, Phineas Theall of Cape Central, and six Notre Dame freshmen swimmers (Tristan Aguila, Kaiden Cracraft, Hudson Dennis, Weston Edwards, William Ferguson, and Benjamin Pursell), each participating in two relays.