SL, GH swimmers

open strong at state prelims

Sat, Nov 21, 2009    to del.icio.us

Spring Lake's swimming and diving squad is in a solid position to turn in one of the best finishes in recent memory at the Division 3 state finals, held at Eastern Michigan University.

The Lakers have six of eight events qualified for Saturday's finals, including a top-eight finish from the Lakers' 200-yard medley relay team, and a pair of top-eight finishes by senior Maria Kieft in the 100 backstroke and 50 freestyle.

The medley relay — which consists of Kieft, Lydia Gleason, Laura Lukkari and Meg Bouman — swam to a school-record time of 1 minute, 55.15 seconds.

Gleason later set another school record in the 100 breaststoke, finishing 16th overall at 1:11.65, and earning a spot in the consolation finals.

The 400 relay established another school record with a time of 3:52.41, which was good for 15th in prelims. The team consists of Bouman, Erin Kuester, Chelsea Rick and Kieft.

Kieft is well on her way to a stellar finish to her career today, as she swam to a seventh-place showing in the 50 freestyle (25.01) and a fifth-place showing in the 100 backstroke (59.62).

Riley Thyfault will advance to the consolation finals after placing 16th in the 100 butterfly.

In diving, junior Becca Mumby stands in 11th place following the semifinal round with a score of 248.60.

Grand Haven will also be represented in Day 2 of the Division 1 state finals, held at the Holland Aquatic Center.

Currin Hall and Gretchen Spoelman both swam well enough to get into the consolation heat today. Hall placed 12th in the 100 butterfly with a personal- best time of 58.88.

Spoelman was 13th in the 100 breaststroke.

Hannah Meade had a personal-best time in the 100 backstroke of 101.34, placing 17th and just missing out for the consolation heat.

The 200 medley relay team of Meade, Spoelman, Hall and Emily Dean will also swim in the consolation heat after recording a season-best time of 1:53.19, placing 13th.

The 200 freestyle relay of Spoelman, Lydia Hoogerhyde, Dean and Hall just missed qualifying with an 18th place finish. Grand Haven also swam in the 400 freestyle relay, but failed to qualify.