MEEKER | Back in the water after Christmas break and off the blocks the Moffat County Bulldogs have their first state qualifier, Kelsey McDiffett will be heading to state in February for her third year in the 100-yard breaststroke.
The two-day meet in Montrose, Colo. with prelims on Friday and finals on Saturday had the Bulldogs with 200 freestyle relay team of McDiffet, Jeni Kincher, Alexa Neton, and Ellina Jones amongst other qualifiers making it to the finals on day two. The 200 relay is now within a second of qualifying for state and each member of the team swam their leg in under 30 seconds.
Kincher placed 14 in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 31.07 seconds, and 13 in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 1 minute 11.04 seconds.
Katie Lockwood, swimming the 100-yard breaststroke for the JV, took second place with a time of 1 minute 29.28 seconds, her highest placing this season.
“Everyone cut time,” said head coach Melany Neton and “we are now looking forward to the week ahead, focusing on their relay starts and turns, and hopefully doing some fast pacing work to gain those last hundredths of a second.”
The team is close to sending more girls to state in a couple races and the small increments of time that can be shaved off will be vital to getting them there.
They travel to Glenwood for their second to last regular season meet on January 18.
Special to the Herald Times
