BELLINGHAM – The Red Raiders girls swimming and diving team withstood a strong comeback from the Storm and won 94-86 on Thursday.
The Bellingham divers performed very well, with Carley Preator, Makenna Pittman and Mei Personius finishing first, second and third respectively. Their combined 13 team points in their event halfway through the meet helped give the Red Raiders the edge that they needed to succeed in the end.
Bellingham’s Elizabeth Coleman qualified for districts in the 200-yard freestyle as well as the 500-yard freestyle. Her teammate Rikki Skoczen barely edged out Coleman in the 200-free and also qualified for districts. Nyla O’Brien qualified as well with her times in the 100-yard butterfly and the 100-yard backstroke.
The Storm were dealing with illness throughout the team, but still put forth a tremendous effort. Mia Eide qualified for districts in the 100-yard breaststroke and Lucy Truemper’s time in the 100-yard backstroke helped her qualify for districts.
All of the Northwest Conference teams will be swimming in the NWC invite this Saturday in Anacortes.
Event Winners:
200-Yard Medley Relay: Squalicum – 2:05.81 (Lucy Truemper, Mia Eide, Tessa Ciatti and Emma Balogh). 200-Yard Freestyle: Rikki Skoczen, Bellingham – 2:31.46. 200-Yard Individual Medley: Mia Eide, Squalicum – 2:26.67. 50-Yard Freestyle: Emma Balogh, Squalicum – 28.06. 1-Meter Diving: Carley Preator, Bellingham – 218.30. 100-Yard Butterfly: Nyla O’Brien, Bellingham – 1:05.85. 100-Yard Freestyle: Jacqueline Fabian, Bellingham – 1:05.14. 500-Yard Freestyle: Elizabeth Coleman, Belligham – 6:43.22. 200-Yard Freestyle Relay: Bellingham – 2:03.35. (Ella Bathum, Alana Haynes, Ellen Nichols and Tatyanna Sparks). 100-Yard Backstroke: Lucy Truemper, Squalicum – 1:06.64. 100-Yard Breaststroke: Mia Eide, Squalicum – 1:19.73. 400-Yard Freestyle Relay: Squalicum – 4:21.30 (Emma Balogh, Tessa Ciatti, Lucy Truemper and Mia Eide).
