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2008 Main Page Coaches Schedule Roster State Qualifying Times | |||||
Congratulations to the girls for their 10th place finish at the MSHSAA State Swimming and Diving Championships this past weekend in St. Louis. It was the highest place Sion ever achieved, after finishing 11th last year. It was also the fastest state meet ever for all teams with times that put swimmers in consolation heats that would have been in final heats in previous years, along with the meet producing six state records on Friday and another four state records on Saturday. Only two other Kansas City teams placed ahead of Sion, Park Hill South and Blue Springs.
School records were set twice by the medley relay team of Mary Frances Donnelly, Josie Vignatelli, Chelsey Weatherford and Lisa Tucci. The old mark was 1:53.72 from last year. They first broke it at prelims on Friday with a 1:52.96, and then went faster on Saturday with a 1:52.48, finishing in 6th place.
The 400 freestyle relay team of Lisa Tucci, Ali Swee, Mary Frances Donnelly, and Chelsey Weatherford also set a school record in prelims. Their time of 3:43.22 was faster than last year’s record of 3:43.89. This relay placed 7th on Saturday.
Also on Saturday the 200 freestyle relay placed 15th. It was swum by Sam Cocks, Darby Evans, Ali Swee, and Josie Vignatelli.
This year marked the first time in team history that all 3 relays placed at the State Championship.
Lisa Tucci set a school record in prelims for the 200 individual medley, bettering her record from last year of 2:13.66 by swimming a 2:11.71; on Saturday she placed 14th overall. Lisa also finished 16th in the 100 butterfly, preceded on Friday by a lifetime best time of 1:00.12.
Chelsey Weatherford had a second best time ever of 5:06.37 while finishing 5th in the 500 freestyle. Chelsey also finished 10th in the 100 butterfly with her second fastest swim ever of 58.14.
Several girls had lifetime best times at prelims but didn’t advance to swim on Saturday. Mary Frances Donnelly swam a 56.32 in the 100 freestyle and later a 1:03.50 in the 100 backstroke. Ali Swee went a 57.31 in the 100 freestyle. In the 100 breaststroke, Josie Vignatelli swam a 1:11.06 and Becky Linville swam a 1:13.27. Abby Klover swam her second best time ever in the 100 backstroke with a 1:04.66.
In Saturday’s diving, Mary Tutera placed 28th overall. There were 34 divers entered, and this was the first year Sion had a diving entry at state.
The balance of Sion’s swim and dive team came along to support the girls they worked so hard with all season long. It took an entire team effort to reach this new plateau. It would not have been possible to accomplish this without the tremendous support from those teammates who may not have competed at state, but were there to cheer on those who competed.
THE SWIM & DIVE TEAM BANQUET IS TUESDAY, MARCH 3RD, IN THE DINING ROOM AT 6:00. Please r.s.v.p. to Lisa Cocks at 816-305-3870 by February 26th for how many family members will attend. | |||||
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