MINNEAPOLIS — It’s easy to see the potential glittering future of Allison Schumacher.
The Rochester John Marshall sophomore hauled home a pair of fourth-place finishes at the state Class AA girls swimming and diving meet Saturday night at the University of Minnesota’s Aquatic Center.
Schumacher was fourth in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 24.02, then later was fourth in the 100 butterfly in 57.23.
As pleased as she was to land that high, there is a great chance that the smile she wore will get even broader next year.
"To move up to third place would be good," said Schumacher.
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That might be selling herself short. Schumacher, who JM coach Paul Bachman noted made significant strides this year beyond her always explosive starts, figures to continue on that path next year.
But she also figures to be aided by the competition clearing out a bit. Things look especially promising in the 50 freestyle, where all three of the girls who finished ahead of her Saturday were seniors.
In the 100 butterfly, Bachman wonders if winner Rachel Bootsma of Eden Prairie may have just swum in her last state meet. The junior could opt for an even bigger stage after not just setting a state record Saturday, but a national one. Bootsma was the talk of the meet. Not only did she win the 100 butterfly in a state record 52.73, but she set a national mark in the 100 backstroke, clocked in 51.53.
In the 100 butterfly, Eastview senior Kayla Hutsell followed Bootsma in 55.88, then sophomore Alexandra Yaeger of Prior Lake (56.28), followed by Schumacher.
So yes, indications are that Schumacher may be in position to take a couple of steps up the awards podium next year.
Bachman says she’s got the right stuff to go big in the next few years.
"Her explosiveness off the blocks and the way she gets into a race so quickly are what make Allison really good," Bachman said "And now she’s starting to hold onto the water further in the race a lot better than in the past."
The 100 butterfly just might have turned into Schumacher’s best race. That’s a surprise, considering the sophomore is a newcomer to it. Schumacher had always done the 100 freestyle in past years, but opted to give that up for a shot at the 100 butterfly this season.
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It’s worked out. That 57.23 time she came up with not only nabbed her a fourth place at state, but set a school record.
"I wasn’t going for the record," Schumacher said. "But to have it now is just an added bonus."
