By Jared Schmeltzer
Reporter
On Saturday the Merrill swim team traveled to UW Stevens Point for the sectional swim meet. The Jays took first place with 267.5 points and will be sending three individuals as well as two relay teams to the state swim meet.
In the 200 yard freestyle Grace Schultz swam a time of 1:57.42 for a third place finish. Grace then took first place in the 100 yard backstroke with a swim of 58.61. With those swims Schultz qualified for the state meet in both events. Claire Schultz would qualify for state in the 50 and 100 yard freestyle. Claire took first place in the 50 yard freestyle, swimming a time of 24.41. In the 100 yard freestyle Schultz swam a time of 54.03, also good enough for first place. In the 500 yard freestyle Trinity Kanitz would qualify for state with a swim of 5:19.07, good enough for third place.
Merrill’s 200 yard freestyle relay team consisting of Grace Schultz, Camryn Schulz, Trinity Kanitz and Claire Schultz swam a time of 1:40.08 for a second place finish and a state qualification. The 400 yard freestyle relay team would also qualify for state. The event is swam by Erin Kanitz, Trinity Kanitz, Grace Schultz and Claire Schultz who swam a time of 3:41.55 for a second place finish.
“Our Individual state qualifiers all had great swims this weekend,” comments Merrill head coach Kristie Winter. “Grace, Claire and Trinity have been team leaders in and out of the pool all season and really push the team and themselves to improve. All 3 qualified for state in the top 8 of their events. With their combined effort also joined with Erin and Camryn to add 2 relays. Merrill went from its first ever state qualifier last year to seven events this season. They should be very proud of their accomplishments so far and I can’t wait to see what they do on Friday.”
The girls will be in Madison for the state meet on Friday at the UW-Madison Natatorium, starting at 6 p.m.