The winning ways continued for the Allegan girls swim & dive team thanks to a 109-63 victory over Plainwell on Tuesday, Oct. 15, to cap Senior Night for the Tigers.
The win kept Allegan perfect in the SCC with a 6-0 record as the Tigers won every event in the meet, securing two new state qualifications along the way.
The big news of the night was Maddie Antkoviak qualifying for the MHSAA State Championship meet in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 1:02.53. Not to be outdone, Lilli Kelley also punched her ticket to the State Finals in the 100-yard backstroke, qualifying with a time of 1:04.30.
The 100 fly was one of two wins for Antkoviak, who also took first in the 200 freestyle. Kelley, meanwhile, also won the 50 free.
Other individual-event wins for Allegan came from Mari Nistal Palacios in the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke; Bella Festerling in the 100 freestyle; Eliza DeLaet in the 500 free; and Bailee Dilley in diving.
Allegan once again showcased their strength in the relays, sweeping all three events.
The 200 medley relay team of Kelley, Nistal Palacios, DeLaet, and Callie Borst opened the meet with a win, followed by the 200 freestyle relay team of Grace Kelley, Audrey Penrod, Odessa Barnhart and Antkoviak. The Tigers capped off the night with a victory in the 400 freestyle relay, swum by Barnhart, DeLaet, Festerling, and Nistal Palacios.
The evening also honored Allegan’s eight seniors: Antkoviak, Borst, Festerling, Lizzy Ehrich, Kelley, Nistal Palacios, Penrod and Kylei Ritz.
“This remarkable group has been the driving force behind our success, with many swimming together since elementary or middle school,” Allegan coach Carol Gephart said. “Their leadership and unbreakable bond have carried the team through many challenges, victories, and unforgettable experiences.
“Their heart and determination are unparalleled, and we’re incredibly proud of their accomplishments both in and out of the pool.”
Saturday, October 26, 2024
