Swimmers take fifth at divisional

The Columbia Falls swim team took fifth at the divisional tournament in Conrad over the weekend. The Wildcats qualified for 66 individual swims and 13 relays.

The team brought home 48 medals from Conrad, including eight gold, eight silver and seven bronze. Bitterroot led the way with 97 medals.

Colton Babcock won the 50 meter breaststroke and the 50 backstroke for the boys 11-12 age group and led the team in individual scoring with 42 points.

Zayne Friar won the 50 butterfly and racked up 34 points. Tyler Langton won the 50 freestyle for the boys 9-10 age group. Langton had 36 points for the team, Cooper Babcock had 34 points. Connor Cheff had 31 points in the 8-and-under age bracket.

The team of Babcock, Logan Stephens, Friar and Tyler Langton won the 200 medley relay.

Columbia Falls will host the state swim meet this weekend. Swimming starts Saturday morning at Pinewood Park and runs through the day Sunday. More than 500 swimmers and their families are expected.