Makenzie Baldwin has been a state contender since she was a freshman at West Ottawa.
Now a senior, Baldwin has the perfect balance of returning speed, confidence mixed with a sprinkle of pressure that could add up to a state championship in the 100-yard backstroke .
“We like to set goals based on what we can control, but I don’t think an individual state title in the 100 backstroke is out of the question,” West Ottawa coach Steve Bowyer said. “Any time you are the top swimmer in the event coming back, there is obviously some pressure there. But there are always things that come into play like who actually will swim the event. But it puts into perspective that this is a realistic goal and something to strive for.”…