By Laurie Thompson

The Warriors Girls’ Swimming and Diving Team made their way to Bemidji on Saturday, September 6, for the Bemidji Invitational Swim Meet.  They were one of 13 teams participating in the event.  This is an arena where our girls can truly measure their strengths and weaknesses and hone their competitive edge. Many  of the girls found themselves pushing their abilities to the limits and finding that extra reserve of power and stamina that not only surprised the spectators in the stands, but even themselves.  As this meet is an Invitational, there is no Junior Varsity points awarded.  Points are awarded for the top 16 finishers in individual and relay events. Junior Cecelia Christiansen was eligible to swim at this meet and eager to help out her teammates.

The highlight of the meet for Warroad was in the 200 Freestyle Relay consisting of, in swimming order, Jenna Thompson, Hannah Bahnmiller, Heather Tyler, and Karley Sylvester.  The girls went into this event with only the idea of doing their best. Little did they know that when the buzzer sounded, their best would break the Bemidji Invitational record in the 200 Freestyle relay with a time of 1:44.69.  The former record had been held by Moorhead High School for nine year with a time of 1:45.52. Way to go, Warriors! 

The Warriors finished sixth overall in the Invitational, with a total score of 235.5 points, behind respectively, Willmar, Grand Forks Red River, Bemidji, Detroit Lakes, and Grand Forks Central.

The team will revisit Bemidji on Tuesday, September 16 and go up against only the Lumberjacks this time.  The girls are looking forward to the challenge.

Warroad Results

200yd Medley Relay

4 – Warroad A – 2:07.30

   Tyler, Bahnmiller, Christiansen, Hannah Johnston

200yd Freestyle

5 – Thompson – 2:08.54

7 – Sylvester – 2:08.92

200yd Individual Medley

6 – Christiansen – 2:33.02

16 – Tyler – 2:44.64

50yd Freestyle

2 – Sylvester – 26.20

4 – Bahnmiller – 27.22

1 Meter Diving

4 – Kayla Colden – 165.15

6 – Chloe Vettel – 156.95

13 – Jessica Pearce – 112.65

100yd Butterfly

5 – Christiansen - 1:08.82

100yd Freestyle

1 – Thompson – 56.58

500yd Freestyle

9 – Danae Scheef – 6:08.51

12 – Danica Scheef – 6:13.78

200yd Freestyle Relay

1 – Warroad A – 1:44.69

   Thompson, Bahnmiller, Johnston, Sylvester

100yd Backstroke

8 – Tyler – 1:10.93