A first-place finish by Alex Henningsen in the 1-meter diving competition highlighted the four medals International Falls’ boys swimming and diving team received in that event at Saturday’s Iron Range Conference/True Team meet hosted by Mesabi East.
“Alex was a returning IRC/True Team champion and it was very important to him to earn that title again this year,” said Falls head coach Hailey Silvers. “He’d like to dedicate his win in memory of PFC Colton Eyer, who passed away (earlier this month).
“Alex was in a position to make a choice whether to compete or to go to Colton’s memorial — he decided to compete and dedicate his performance to his dear friend.”
Three freshman divers also earned medals for the Broncos. Chase Carrigan, who failed his fifth-round dive, finished strong to earn IRC honors by finishing in third place. Cody Tatsak was fourth, and first-year varsity diver Cole Tatsak brought home a seventh-place medal.
Other top performances for the Falls came from the 200-yard freestyle relay team, which placed seventh in 1 minute, 46.64 seconds.
In the 400 freestyle relay, Henningsen and Corrin Wenger both swam their 100 splits in under 59 seconds to help propel the Broncos’ team to its best time of the year in 3:59.54 for ninth place.
The Falls, which had only nine swimmers/divers compete, placed sixth in the IRC team standings. Virginia finished on top with 1,413 points, followed by Grand Rapids (1,358), Hibbing (1,233), Eveleth-Gilbert (812), Mesabi East (777), the Falls (515) and Chisholm (470).
Falls was without Jeff Klow.
The Broncos’ next meet is Jan. 27 when they travel to Litchfield.
