Raiders, Minutemen Ready To Rumble
MIDDLEBURY – Northridge and Concord peppered the qualifying round for the Northern Lakes Conference Girls Swimming Championships Thursday night. The Raiders and Minutemen combined to land first in all 11 events heading into the final round Saturday afternoon at the Northridge Natatorium.
Northridge posted the top time in eight events, gaining lane five access in the medley relay (1:54.58) and 400 free relay (3:46.68). Elsa Fretz set herself up for another fantastic championship round, posting a meet record in the 50 free at 23.46. Fretz, the defending state champion in the event, also posted a 51.02 to lead the 100 free.
Jenna Nethercutt also swam a meet record Thursday, hanging a 1:05.94 in the breaststroke, three Raiders in the top four. Sydney Nethercutt also led the way in the 200 free (1:52.91) and 500 free (5:03.12). Anna Yeater leads the group in the individual medley at 2:13.86.
Concord has the top time entering Saturday in the 200 free (1:43.39) as well as Sophia Stutsman in the butterfly (59.66) and Ella Lantz in the backstroke (58.06).
Overall, Northridge has 22 swimmers and Concord has 20 swimmers in championship slots. Concord’s medley and 400 free relays are both seeded second.
Wawasee has Alexis Mishler sitting second in both the 50 free and backstroke, Cammy Kryder fifth in the backstroke and seventh in the fly, Kiah Farrington fifth in the 50 and sixth in the 100 free, Ella Park sixth in the 500 and seventh in the 200 free and Lily Tyler seventh in the 500. All three of the Warrior relays are seeded fourth.
Warsaw only qualified three individuals into championship events. Lillian Boston is seventh in the 50, Taylor Gunter eighth in the IM and Mariana Malagon eighth in the 100 free. Warsaw’s three relays are all seeded third.
NorthWood has Elle Roberts swimming in two championship events, sitting sixth in the 50 free and seventh in the breaststroke. The Panther relays qualified sixth, sixth and eighth Thursday night.
Diving prelims will be held Friday evening at Northridge, moved up from Saturday morning to skirt potential weather issues. The swim finals are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Northridge.