Girls’ swimming team puts up strong showing at Section 1A prelims

AUSTIN — With first-place finishes in nine events, Albert Lea is just getting started on its road to state.

The Albert Lea girls’ swimming team competed in the Section 1A prelims Wednesday at Ellis Middle School in Austin.

According to Tigers coach Jon Schmitz, the top eight finishers in each event advanced to the Section 1A finals, which will start at 6 p.m. Friday in Austin.

From the finals, the top two finishers in each event advance to the state swimming meet that begins with prelims Nov. 19 and finals Nov. 20 at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center.

The Tigers will have 18 spots in Friday’s section finals, three of which are relays.

Albert Lea finished first in the 200-yard medley relay, 200 freestyle, 200 individual medley, 50 freestyle, 100 butterfly, 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle relay, 100 backstroke, 100 breaststroke and the 400 freestyle relay categories.

Seniors Bailey Sandon, Lindsey Horejsi, Ahnika Jensen, Anna Andersen, Haley Simon; and freshman Emily Taylor had first-place finishes.

Schmitz said Albert Lea and Mankato West are separated by just five points, making the competition even more exciting.

“We have a lot of first place qualifiers,” said Schmitz. “We’re really excited about the state team we’re going to have.”