The Merrill Blueay girls swim team was back in the pool for two meets last week.
On Thursday Oct.15 the Bluejays hosted Wausau East at home. The MHS team lost with a final score of 120-47. “The Lumberjacks are really swimming well this year”, commented Head Coach Kristie Winter.
“We struggled at even some of our better events, this season has been extra challenging and I think the girls are not only physically tired from our very difficult meet schedule but also mentally tired from the effects of Covid not only in the pool but in their daily lives.” Sophomore Amber Winter finished in the top spot in both the 100 yard freestyle and 100y breaststroke events.Senior Erin Kanitz also had strong finishes for the team with a 2nd in the 200y freestyle, she then came back to win the 500y freestyle.
The team saw most of their roster back from quarantine but still fell short in their meet against Wausau West on Tuesday, Oct. 13, barely missing the Warriors by 15 points (88-73.)
Merrill won 6 of 11 events and placed 2nd the remaining five.
“We had some great swims, but with our small team we just didn’t have the depth to cover all the events,” Winter added.
Merrill started the meet off with a 1st place finish in the 200 yard Medley Relay, swimmers included Mya Wilde, Amber Winter, Erin Kanitz and Laney Zuelsdorff. Junior Emma Pajtash then finished 2nd in the 200y Freestyle followed by Sophomore Amber Winter with a 1st place finish in the 200y Individual Medley.Winter would go on to finish first in the 100y Breast stroke as well. Senior Erin Kanitz captured 1st place finishes in the 50y Freestyle and 100y Freestyle.
In the 100y Butterfly sophomores Mya Wilde and Caitlynn Pehlke finished 2nd and 3rd. Senior Laney Zuelsdorff finished 2nd in the 500y freestyle event. The team also placed 1st in the 200y freestyle relay of Pajtash, Wilde, Pehlke and Winter. And finally 2nd in the final event the 400y freestyle relay with a team of Zuelsdorff, Pajtash, Pehlke and Kanitz. “It was great to have most of the team back in the water on Tuesday. I saw a lot of confidence back for our swimmers”, commented Coach Winter.
The team is nearing the end of the regular season, they host WI Rapids for their last home meet on Thursday Oct 22nd as they prepare for the conference championships next week Oct 29th