Orvis attempts to repeat state title effort

DECORAH -- Allison Orvis raised the Decorah girls swim program to a new height and she has put herself in a position to raise the bar higher.

After claiming the first state title for the Vikings' girls program last year, Orvis enters the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union state swim meet Saturday at Marshalltown YMCA with the best qualifying times in the 200 individual medley and 100 butterfly. State diving begins tonight at 5 p.m. and swim events start after a Parade of Teams at noon.

The Decorah senior is attempting to defend her 200 IM crown. Orvis qualified with a time of 2 minutes, 5.84 seconds, which is almost four seconds faster the the second-best time and a little more than a half-second off her winning time in 2010.

"That would be awesome if i can do that again," Orvis said about repeating. "The main goal is to drop time, but to have a state title in there would be a bonus."

The entire season has been geared toward Saturday. Orvis has prepared for this moment, and Decorah Coach Steph Huber said she is peaking at the right time.

"We're both confident that she's going to have her best swim at the state meet," Huber said. "She has had her eye on the prize since this summer. Earning that state title last year just really fueled her fire and she's been really motivated by that."

Complacency was never an issue once that gold medal was draped around her neck. Orvis, who will swim for the University of Iowa next year, increased her workout regimen with the desire of getting even better. She put in additional time in the pool and began lifting weights, adding one to two hours of training a day.

"I've gone by myself in the morning to swim," Orvis said. "I've put in some extra work. I did a strength training program for the first time this season so hopefully that will pay off."

It isn't just the amount of training but striving to achieve specific goals with each workout. Huber has seen "triple the focus" from her top swimmer.

"She's always worked hard, but has more focused training, knowing what she wants to be doing and I think she's worked harder," said Huber, noting the extra hours and the addition of dry-land training. "She's been really committed to it in a way I haven't seen before in her, so I think she has tapped into a whole new level of what she can do and what she wants to do."

The state meet has arrived quickly, according to Orvis, who has enjoyed her four years with the Vikings and expects to miss the prep experience. She said a tough field produces a little pressure, but that will dissipate as adrenaline kicks in for the race.

"I've worked really hard this season and (Huber) has us tapered up," Orvis said. "We're ready to have some great swims and give it my best and hope to have my best time, which I think I can do. I'm ready."

She is also ready for a possible double-dip into the championship well. She is top-seeded in the 100 fly with a time of 57.25. She is a second faster than the next fastest qualifier, and if she can match her qualifying time it would tie the 10th-fastest recorded time at state.

The individual medley consists of backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and freestyle strokes. Huber said Orvis would be strongest in the 400 IM, which makes the 100 fly a perfect complement event.

"She has always been an IM (swimmer)," Huber said. "She's always been strong in all the strokes.

"She's a very versatile swimmer."

Versatile, accomplished and an example for future Vikings to aspire to match. Orvis said she knows her performance could impact the program in the future.

"For someone who is coming in, I hope that will show them you can work hard and hopefully one day drop their times, maybe not win state, but do really good," Orvis said. "Maybe get more girls to make it to state."