With matchups against Hibbing and Grand Rapids out of the way, International Falls can now focus on competing against similar competition.
Grand Rapids crushed the Broncos 128-56 on Tuesday at the Falls Natatorium, just five days after Hibbing defeated the Broncos 123-48. Hibbing and Grand Rapids are the favorites in Section 7.
“It’s great to have them out of the way, because everyone else we have a shot at,” said Broncos head coach Jill Herzig.
The only first-place finish for the Broncos came in the 200-yard freestyle relay. Rachel Adams, Morgan Bruess, Paige Herzig and Maggie West combined to finish in 1 minute, 55.33 seconds. Adding runner-up finishes were Ashley Hasbargen in the 100 breaststroke (1:24.73), Keanna Carlson in diving (140.25) and Herzig in the 200 individual medley (2:49.26). Two relays also finished second — the 200 medley with Herzig, Grace Thorstad, West and Abby Oveson, and the 400 with Adams, Bruess, Herzig and West.
“The great thing about swimming is it’s also an individual sport, so we were able to try some people in different races,” coach Herzig said.
The Broncos will look to rebound after the tough start on Thursday at Eveleth-Gilbert.
Grand Rapids 128,
I. Falls 56
200 medley relay — 2, Paige Herzig, Grace Thorstad, Maggie West, Abby Oveson, 2:21.56; 4, Blair Johnson, Breanna Shofner, Courtney Klow, Kari Arnold, 2:27.09; 6, Rachel Adams, Therese Youso, Monica Hasbargen, Morgan Bruess, no time reported.
200 freestyle — 4, Tamera Stouffer, 2:42.74; 5, Sarah Manka, no time reported.
200 individual medley — 2, Herzig, 2:49.26; 5, Ashley Hasbargen, 3:04.19; 6, Aleena Wilson, 3:05.57.
50 freestyle — 3, Thorstad, 30.47; 5, Stouffer, 31.45.
Diving — 2, Keanna Carlson, 140.25.
100 butterfly — 3, West, 1:22.41; 5, Oveson, 1:29.82.
100 freestyle — 3, Thorstad, 1:12.33; 4, Wilson, 1:14.15; 5, Manka, 1:14.72.
500 freestyle — 3, Monica Hasbargen, 7:02.86; 4, Arnold, 7:11.62.
200 freestyle relay — 1, Adams, Bruess, Herzig, West, 1:55.33; 4, Manka, Wilson, Youso, Oveson, 2:07.21; 5, Stouffer, Monica Hasbargen, Ashley Hasbargen, Arnold, 2:13.15.
100 backstroke — 3, Youso, 1:26.71.
100 breaststroke — 2, Ashley Hasbargen, 1:24.73; 4, Bruess, 1:31.88; 5, Adams, 1:33.58.
400 freestyle relay — 2, Adams, Bruess, Herzig, West, 4:22.05; 4, Stouffer, Monica Hasbargen, Thorstad, Oveson, 4:56; 5, Manka, Ashley Hasbargen, Wilson, Youso, no time reported.
