So far, the new pool has brought plenty of excitement for the Albert Lea High School girls’ swimming and diving team.

Friday, September 07, 2001

So far, the new pool has brought plenty of excitement for the Albert Lea High School girls’ swimming and diving team.

But the Tigers are still looking for a victory there.

For the second time in a week, ALHS girls dropped a close dual meet at home, falling 95-91 to Rochester John Marshall Thursday night.

The Tigers trailed 82-74 with two events remaining, but took an 87-85 lead with a 1-2-3 finish in the 100-yard breast stroke. The Rockets won it with a 1-3 finish in the final event, the 400 freestyle relay.

Albert Lea had two individual firsts. Laura Grund won the 100 freestyle in 1:00.17 and Leah Matheson took the breast stroke.

The Tigers’ other win was by the 200 freestyle relay team of Grund, Brooke Kaasa, Chelsea Cole and Krista Horejsi.

Brooke Kaasa was second in two events, the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle. Lonna Vanderploeg took second in the 50 free, Kassi Gaul was second in diving and Horejsi was second in the breast stroke.

Other Albert Lea places: Grund, third, 200 free; Cole, third, 200 individual medley and third, 100 butterfly; Amy Leach, fourth, 200 IM and fifth, 100 butterfly; Megan Austin, fifth, 200 IM and third, 100 breast; Alyssa Nelson, third, 50 free and second, 100 back; Horejsi, fourth, 50 free; Laura Hillman, third, diving; Vanderploeg, third, 100 free; Kaeli Wayne, fourth, 100 free and third, 100 back; Rachel Hagen, fourth, 500 free; Brittney Kaasa, fifth, 500 free.

Final scores were not tallied for the junior varsity. Taking first for Albert Lea were Emily Wirkus, 200 free; Leah Matheson, 200 IM; Brianna Gold, 100 butterfly; Mariah McGill, 100 free; Jackie Montag, 500 free; Carly Matheson, 100 back; Carly Schmitz, 100 breast. The Tigers also won all three relays.

The Tigers are off until next Thursday, when they travel to Faribault for a 6 p.m. dual meet.