Central Minnesota swimmers showcased their talents at the State Swimming and Diving meet held Saturday at the University of Minnesota, bringing home several top honors.
Kate Walz of Sauk Rapids-Rice earned a state championship in the 100-yard breaststroke. Meanwhile, Izzy Westling of St. John’s Prep captured the state title in the 100-yard freestyle and also finished second in the 200 Individual Medley (IM).
In the Class A 200 Medley Relay, Sauk Rapids-Rice secured third place with a team composed of Ally Lucas, Kate Walz, Madison Miller, and Mya Miller. ROCORI finished tied for fourth, featuring Chelsea Willenbring, Ariana Outhwaite, Andi Diercks, and Jayda Larson. Tech took sixth place with Maren Nelson, Aliina Gustin, Anja Gustin, and Maggie Cole. Sartell rounded out the top eight, finishing eighth with McKenna Searcy, Marni Koosman, Addison St. Sauver, and Kaylee Meester.
Individual highlights include:
– Class A 200 Free Final: Grace Mork (Becker) placed 8th, Maggie Cole (Tech) finished 10th.
– Class A 200 IM Final: Izzy Westling (St. John’s Prep/Apollo/Cathedral) earned 2nd place; Kate Walz (Sauk Rapids-Rice) came in 5th; Izza Mork (Becker) took 8th; Aliina Gustin (Tech) placed 10th.
– Class A 50 Freestyle: Chelsea Willenbring (ROCORI) secured 7th place.
– Class A 1-Meter Diving: Maggie Graning (Becker) scored 5th; Taylor Bockoven (Milaca) 7th; Esme Grabinski (Sauk Rapids-Rice) 9th; Brenna Gruber (Tech) 10th; Kiera Florek (Tech) 13th.
– Class A 100 Freestyle: Izzy Westling (St. John’s Prep/Apollo/Cathedral) claimed 1st place.
– Class A 500 Freestyle: Grace Mork (Becker) finished 2nd; Maggie Cole (Tech) placed 8th.
– Class A 200 Free Relay: Foley came in 4th with Braelyn Rudolph, Liz Thorsten, Sydney Hanks, and Claire Kilgard; Sauk Rapids-Rice took 7th place with Ava Erdmann, Ally Lucas, Kate Walz, and Mya Miller.
– Class A 100 Backstroke: Brooke Ruoff (Melrose) earned 5th place; Chelsea Willenbring (ROCORI) took 7th.
– Class A 100 Breaststroke: Kate Walz (Sauk Rapids-Rice) captured 1st place; Izza Mork (Becker) finished 5th; Aliina Gustin (Tech) placed 7th.
The outstanding performances of Central Minnesota athletes highlighted a competitive meet and demonstrated the strength of the region’s swimming and diving programs. Congratulations to all the competitors on their impressive achievements.
https://wjon.com/ixp/70/p/central-minnesota-swimming-titles/