It was an exciting weekend at the MSHSAA State Swimming & Diving Championships.  The team race came down to the last relay.  I am not sure the last time that happened on the girls or boys side (1993 is my last memory of that).  I wish it would have turned out the other way for Glendale. We found ourselves in the mix in a few events on Saturday and the girls came away from the meet with some great memories and swims. 

We placed 12th, which is down a little from last year, but still our second best finish in history.  There were 69 teams competing at the meet.  To place this high again says a lot about our team.  Even more impressive than that was our ability to come back the second day and swim faster.  The four girls who competed on Saturday did a great job and really stepped up. 

On Friday, the 200 Medley Relay started off the day with a good relay.  They went 2:05, but unfortunately got DQ’ed.  Even though the relay was DQ’ed, it was a great way to finish off a great career for Dixie, Jess and Molly - they all had great splits.  Katie was the flyer on the relay and did a great job as well. 

Jenna started off the individual swims with a 5 second best time in the 200 free and breaking the 2 minute barrier for the first time.  Merideth made the bottom 8 in the event with a 1:58.  This event continues to get faster every year.  It is a tough event.  Next year I look for both girls to be competing for spots in the top 8. 

Hallie had a best time in the 50 free with a 25.90.  Julie looked good and swam well, but wasn’t able to get into the top 16 this year. 

Merideth went a best time in the fly and made it into the top 16 once again.  She went a season best 1:01.3. 

The 100 freestyles were solid.  Jenna, Julie & Hallie weren’t able to get into the top 16.  They all had pretty good times, but not quite what they were hoping to get. 

We then had a very solid 200 free relay and qualified 5th for finals.  We finished off the day with an ok 400 free relay and fortunately qualified 7th.

Merideth Swain finished 15th in the 200 free and 16th in the 100 fly and earned All - State Honorable Mention honors. 

Merideth Swain, Jenna Harmison, Hallie Roach and Julie Wiskur placed 5th in the 200 Free Relay and 4th in the 400 Free Relay (new school record).  The finishes earned the girls All - State honors.  Julie anchored the relays with a 24. and 54.  The 4th place finish is the highest relay finish for us since I have been coaching and maybe ever.  A fitting way to finish a banner season. 

Congratulations to the girls on a great season!