The Bluejay swim team was little overwhelmed when all the Valley schools showed up at the UW-SP pool for Thursday’s WVC Meet.

Merrill handled the daunting task by focusing on personal improvement.

“Overall, the girls had a successful night, many of them dropping more time off their events,” MHS coach Bethany Preboske said. “Every one of these girls swam their hearts out. They hold a lot of passion for the sport and whether or not they are winning, they hold their heads high. I love to see that. There is so much to gain from experiencing what they have experienced this year and the last-team work, sportsmanship and cooperation will lead them far in life.”

Merrill’s best finish came in the 200 free (Jourdyn Mootz, Jennica Jahnke, Emma Sowieja and Courtney Kolehouse) in 12th place in 1:54.87. Kolehouse swam 13th in the 50 free in :27.66, just .4 out of 10th.
The 200 medley groups took 14th (Mackenzie Baacke, Kolehouse, Mootz, Jahnke, 2:13.12) and 18th (Megan Johnson, Kassie Pyka, Robin Opsahl, Megan Koelsch, 2:22.63).
Merrill placed 15th (Koelsch, Sowieja, Mootz, Kolehouse, 4:20.74) and 18th (Opsahl, Tori Engel, Pyka, Olivia Wilmink, 4:47.03) in the 400 free relay.
Opsahl swam 17th in the 100 free (1:06.87). The Jays went 18-19 in the 100 back with Baacke (1:21.38) and Johnson (1:23.48).
Also placing 18th were: Sowieja (200 free, 2:28.33); Mootz (50 free, :28.23, just .19 out of 16th); the 200 free (Johnson, Pyka, Opsahl, Baacke, 2:03.10).
Engel was 19th in the 500 free in 6:51.26.