Illness hindered the Bluejay swimmers in Thursday’s road dual meet, and that was the last thing they needed with a destination of a quality opponent in SPASH.

The Panthers collected a 98-34 win.

“With the colds and flu’s spreading around, I felt as if our girls weren’t as strong as they could have been if well rested,” MHS coach Bethany Preboske said. “Despite illnesses, we managed to earn points here and there.

“Although we lost the meet, every time someone was to finish a race, there would be an uproar of cheering from the sides or swimmers would wait to shake hands and congratulate after the race. What a wonderful experience to take part of. I am pleased so many of our girls have the understanding that it isn’t the win, it is how you better yourself and work together as a team. Sportsmanship will be a life skill that all my swimmers will take with them after high school.”

The 400 free relay team of Elise Ordemann, Emma Sowieja, Megan Koelsch and Mackenzie Baacke took the top finish with a runner-up time of 4:31.39.

Thirds were turned in by Ordemann in the 100 free (1:05.35) and the 200 free team of Jourdyn Mootz, Ordemann, Sowieja and Baacke (1:59.14).

Collecting fourth-place points were: Sowieja (200 free, 2:33.49); Mootz (50 free, :29.02); Tori Engel (500 free, 7:03.66); and the 200 medley team (Baacke, Sowieja, Ordemann, Mootz, 2:16.74).

“Jourdyn is a strong swimmer that has a new surprise up her sleeve each and every meet,” Preboske said. “A rookie with the swim team, she realized that she would need to focus a lot of extra practice time on dives and turns. She is never a type to complain or work herself up. She is a true athlete and she is a strong part of our team.”