Grimes leads way for GW swimmers

In a familiar position, Fallon swimmer Kyle Grimes aims to make the most out of his final high school swim meet.

The Greenwave speedster is Fallon’s lone individual qualifier for Saturday’s Division I-A state meet at the Carson Aquatic Center. The event begins at 1 p.m.

Grimes again earned state bids in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events after taking second and third, respectively, during last week’s Northern DI-A regional meet.

“I think he’s been real consistent the last two, three meets,” Fallon coach Ken Grimes said. “He’s done times that are in there and I think he can be in the top four. It depends on him having his best day, so we’ll see.”

He is also coming off a fourth-place showing in last year’s state meet in the 50 free and was eighth in the 100 free.

Admittedly, the 50 free is Grimes’ favorite event as he has been a force all season in the fastest event in swimming.

Despite his favoritism, he said his goal is to get on the medal stand in both events, although the 100 is more of a long shot.

“I’m hoping to get at least second, but I am trying my hardest to win it,” Grimes said of the 50 free. “I’m just going to try and place in that (100).”

Grimes, though, will also compete in the 200 and 400 free relays. While Grimes anchors the relays, the Wave may not have the services of Nathan Narag.

Nevertheless, Christian Nemeth, Isaac Kelsey and possibly an alternate will have their hands full in the relays.

The 200 team took fourth in regionals, while the 200 squad was third. Practice this week has centered on starts and turns with an added emphasis on tapering so Fallon is fresh for Saturday.

“Hopefully we will surprise some people,” Ken Grimes said.

As for the Lady Wave, Fallon failed to qualify any individual swimmers but will send its 400 free relay team of Amber Revels, Danielle Brown, Sierra Bivens and Katrina Ward.

“We pretty much have to focus on our 100 times,” Ward said. “We have to work on the blocks, our reaction timing.”

“I just have to make my 100 faster,” Revels added.