The Bluejay girls knew Thursday’s Valley Meet posed a daunting task so they focused on personal achievement.
The 200 free relay team of Megan Koelsch, Jennica Jahnke, Jourdyn Mootz and Courtney Kolehouse pulled off a top finish of 8th place out of 20 in 1:51.42. They also ranked 11th in the 400 free in 4:12.46.
“The end of the (regular) season proved to be quite exciting for many of our girls,” MHS coach Bethany Martinovici said. “We had plenty of personal bests.
“The girls on the 200 free relay team were very focused and determined to place in the top 10. Our time going in placed us around 12th place. The girls knew they would have to start and end strong. Each one of the girls managed to race under 29 seconds. The energy after that race was beyond what I had imagined, and there was excitement throughout the rest of the races. Each of the girls had worked so hard this season and deserved that honor and recognition.
“Megan had a fantastic meet. She was more focused and determined to do well in this meet than she has in any meet all season and that attitude helped her deliver beautiful races. Her times dropped in both her individual events as well as relay splits. She has been a great asset to the team and I want to recognize her for her hard work every day. We may not have won the meet, but several of the girls won on their own and were very proud of what they accomplished. I feel the same about each one of these athletes.”
The 200 medley group of Mootz, Kolehouse, Robin Opsahl and Jahnke rated 9th in 2:09.77. Mootz scored 12th in the 50 free in :27.65.
The 200 free team of Megan Johnson, Olivia Wilmink, Miranda Jahnke and Opsahl scored 8 points in 2:01.32, and the 400 free (Taylor LaBorde, Tori Engel, Mackenzie Baacke, Opsahl, 4:43.53) and the 200 medley (Baacke, M. Jahnke, LaBorde, Johnson, 2:24.35) scored 6.
Several individuals just missed scoring including: Koelsch (17th, 100 free, PB 1:03.91/ 19th, 200 free, PB 2:28.18); LaBorde (17th, 200 IM, PB 2:51.87); Kolehouse (17th, 50 free, :28.54); J. Jahnke (18th, 50 free, :28.78); Opsahl (17th, 100 fly, 1:15.59); Baacke (17th, 100 back, 1:19.91); and M. Jahnke (18th, 100 brea, 1:26.65).
Other PB’s came from: Engel (500 free, PB 6:46.27); LaBorde (500 free, 7:05.96); and Olivia Wilmink (200 free, 2:35.62).
Team standings-Wausau E. 482, Wausau W. 407.5, Wis. Rapids 365, D.C.E. 342.5, SPASH 291, Marshfield 177, Merrill 87.