GRAND RAPIDS — Jill Herzig had only six swimmers and one diver advance to the Section 7A finals in her first season last year.
The Broncos more than doubled that number Thursday with 14 swimmers finishing in the top 16 at this year’s Section 7A preliminaries. Diver Keanna Carlson will join the team Saturday in the finals. Diving begins at 11 a.m. and swimming events begin at 3 p.m.
“I think they did better than expected,” Herzig said.
The top individual finisher was Ashley Hasbargen in the 100-yard breaststroke. The sophomore finished sixth in 1 minute, 17.36 seconds. Rachel Adams added a seventh place in the 50 freestyle in 26.87 and Morgan Bruess finished eighth in the 100 backstroke in 1:10.7. For Hasbargen and Adams, their times were career-bests.
“I was not expecting that,” Adams said, noting her goal was 27 seconds. “It was really, really big to get 26.”
Adams finished third in the second heat and didn’t realize she was top eight until well after the four heats concluded.
“That was a big moment,” she said about finding out about her top eight finish. “Close to hyperventilation.”
Top eight finishes in prelims are eligible to qualify for the state meet, while finishes from 9-16 enter Saturday’s consolation finals. The top two individuals in each event, top two relays and four divers qualify Saturday for state, plus anyone who beats the state qualifying time.
The Broncos had 12 finishes from 9-16 (see results below).
All three relays for the Broncos advanced to Saturday’s finals, with the 200 freestyle holding second place. Grace Thorstad, Adams, Paige Herzig and Maggie West finished in 1:49.57, but will more than likely have to improve on that time to qualify for state.
“It’s great to say we’re seeded second, but we know some of the other teams still have time to drop,” coach Herzig said.
However, a trip to state is still well in reach.
“That would be very, very exciting for all four of us,” Adams said.
The 400 freestyle relay with Monica Hasbargen, Therese Youso, Herzig and Adams finished third in 4:11.3 and the 200 yard medley relay with Bruess, Herzig, Tamera Stouffer and Adams finished sixth in 2:07.34.
Stouffer, a junior captain battling the entire season with a ventricular septar defect, or a hole in her heart, added a 13th place finish in the 100 butterfly with a season-best time of 1:15.74.
“I had a good day. More excited for Saturday now,” she said.
The Broncos failed to qualify a swimming in the top 16 in only two events.
“Last year our goal was top 16 and we had a few girls achieve that goal,” coach Herzig said.
“This year we doubled that, so the girls’ expectations are higher, with state the ultimate goal.”
Section 7A Preliminaries
@ Grand Rapids
200-yard medley relay — 6, Morgan Bruess, Paige Herzig, Tamera Stouffer, Rachel Adams, 2:07.34.
200 freestyle — 19, Abby Oveson, 2:26.21; 22, Sarah Manka, 2:33.84; 25, Blair Johnson, 2:37.01.
200 individual medley — 14, Monica Hasbargen, 2:43.26; 21, Ashley Hasbargen, 2:56.57; 25, Courtney Klow, 3:00.15.
50 freestyle — 7, Adams, 26.87; 9, Maggie West, 27.11; 13, Grace Thorstad, 28.16; DQ, Therese Youso.
100 butterfly — 13, Stouffer, 1:15.74; 14, Breanna Shofner, 1:16.63; 16, Aleena Wilson, 1:20.5; 20, Manka, 1:27.62.
100 freestyle — 10, West, 1:02; 12, Oveson, 1:03.02; 16, Youso, 1:03.73; 19, Thorstad, 1:04.2.
500 freestyle — 20, Kari Arnold, 7:00.33.
200 freestyle relay — 2, Thorstad, Adams, Herzig, West, 1:49.57.
100 backstroke — 8, Bruess, 1:10.7; 16, Klow, 1:16.57; 21, Wilson, 1:19.87; 31, Michelle McDonald, 1:29.23.
100 breaststroke — 6, Ashley Hasbargen, 1:17.36; 9, Herzig, 1:18.84; 19, Shofner, 1:25.44.
400 freestyle relay — 3, Monica Hasbargen, Youso, Herzig, Adams, 4:11.3.
