State champs
The Whitefish girls swim team earned the Class A state title last weekend in Bozeman. From left, are Patricia McDaniel, Helena Kunz, Nia Hanson, coach Savannah Matyas, coach Emily von Jentzen, Annie Sullivan, Ada Qunell and Lauren York. (Photo courtesy Cherry Creek Images)
Bulldog swimmer Preston Ring remained undefeated during the season.
The Lady Bulldog swimmers are state champions.
Whitefish took five individual titles, one relay title and the overall girls team title on the final day of the Class A State Swim Meet in Bozeman on Saturday.
With just six swimmers on the team, the Lady Dogs edged out Billings Central Catholic 91-88 in scoring at the meet.
A first and second by Helena Kunz and Nia Hanson in the 200 freestyle and Ada Qunell’s first in the 200 intermediate medley (2:15.92) and 100 butterfly (1:01.99) put the team in good position, but wins by Central’s Julia Peterson in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle gave Billings the lead.
Annie Sullivan (5:41.01) and Hanson added another first and second in the 500 freestyle, Sullivan took first in the 100 breaststroke (1:14.48) and Lauren York took third in the same race.
That left everything down to the 400 freestyle relay, and as the only qualifying Class A team the girls took a victory lap for the title.
It’s the second title for the Lady Dogs in three years.
On the boys side, Preston Ring capped off his undefeated season with victories in the 50 and 100 freestyle.
Logan Botner took a pair of silvers in the 100 butterfly (21.96) and 500 freestyle (48.65).
As a team, the boys finished fifth overall.
Boys
Team scores: Billings Central 63, Havre 63, Hardin 52, Columbia Falls 38, Whitefish 29
50 Freestyle: 1. Preston Ring, Whitefish, 21.96;
100 Butterfly: 2. Logan Botner, Whitefish, 57.20;
100 freestyle: 1. Preston Ring, Whitefish, 48.65;
500 freestyle: 2. Logan Botner, Whitefish, 5:10.86;
100 backstroke: 5. Aaron Dicks, Whitefish, 1:08.61;
100 breaststroke: 5. Kelvin Dicks, Whitefish, 1:15.57; 6. Bain Black, Whitefish, 1:17.17.
Girls
Team scores: Whitefish 91; Billings Central 88; Hardin 49; Havre 19; Columbia Falls 7
200 medley relay: Central 1:59.39; Whitefish 2:06.46; Hardin 2:10.8
200 freestyle: 1. Helena Kunz, Whitefish, 2:02.89; 2. Nia Hanson, Whitefish, 2:11.66;
200 IM: 1. Ada Qunell, Whitefish, 2:15.92;
100 butterfly: 1. Ada Qunell, Whitefish, 1:01.99;
100 freestyle: 2. Helena Kunz, Whitefish, 56.14; 4. Lauren York, Whitefish, 1:01.51;
500 freestyle: 1. Annie Sullivan, Whitefish, 5:41.01; 2. Nia Hanson, Whitefish, 6:03.48;
200 freestyle: Central 1:49.45; Whitefish 1:51.32; Hardin 1:51.46
100 breaststroke: 1. Annie Sullivan, Whitefish, 1;14.48 3. Lauren York, Whitefish, 1:19.55;
400 freestyle relay: Whitefish (Helena Kunz, Nia Hanson, Annie Sullivan, Ada Qunell) 3:54.11