Lions 3rd at Divisional: Chinook, Harlem qualify 55 swimmers for state
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It was a banner weekend for Blaine County swimmers at the Eastern Divisional in Sidney. 55 swimmers in all qualified to compete on the big stage at the state meet in Lewistown this Saturday and Sunday.
The Chinook Lions finished third overall at the Divisional meet and advanced 41 swimmers (91%) to the state finale.
The Harlem swim team swam very well as well and will have 14 swimmers (80%) swimming in Lewistown this weekend.
Qualifying such a high percentage of their rosters is a testament to the hard work the kids and their coaches have put in this summer, "Our team had an outstanding weekend in Sidney at the Eastern Federation Divisional Swim meet and I am proud to have 14 swimmers represent Harlem at State this weekend," commented Harlem swim coach Denise Devaney.
"The kids have all worked so hard the past several weeks and it seems every weekend we have so many swimmers setting new personal bests," said Chinook head coach Suzanne Farmer. "They are getting better each week and hopefully they will post their best efforts in the pool this weekend at State."
The Lions had a pair of High Point winners in Katie Tilleman and Daniel Tilleman and Harlem's Andrew Rasmussen also claimed his divisions top prize.
Katie Tilleman has dominated the eight and under girls division all summer and turned in another clean sweep at the Eastern Divisional. Katie finished first in all three individual events winning the 25 Meter Breaststroke in :23.90, the 25 Meter Backstroke in :21.70 and the 25 Meter Butterfly in :19.02.
Rasmussen has earned the 13-14 boys high point nearly every weekend this summer and also swept his three individual events winning the 200 Meter Freestyle in 2:21.97, the 100 Meter Backstroke in 1:17.24 and the 200 Meter Individual Medley in 2:46.11.
Daniel Tilleman has also won his fair share of high point trophies this summer. Tilleman won the 9-10 Boys 50 Meter Freestyle in :34.05 and the 100 Meter Freestyle in 1:18.24, he also finished third in the 50 Meter Breaststroke (:50.55).
Both swim teams had a number of individual champions at the Eastern Divisional.
Harlem's Alaynee Hawley captured the 13-14 girls 200 Meter Freestyle winning the event with a time of 2:35.52. Teammate Maria Hogan was a champion as well winning the girls 9-10 50 Meter Breaststroke with a time of :43.51.
The Lions got a championship effort from Tyler Schoen in the Boys 11-12 Division as he won a pair of Gold medals by winning the 50 Meter Freestyle (:31.80) and the 50 Meter Breaststroke (:42.47).
Benton Elliot was also a double winner for the Lions swim team taking home gold in the 13-14 Boys 50 Meter Freestyle (:28.03) and the 100 Meter Freestyle (1:05.25).
Chinooks Hallie Neibauer earned Gold in the 9-10 Girls 50 Meter Freestyle touching the wall in :36.87.
Dentin DePriest was the winner of the 9-10 Boys 100 Meter Individual Medley covering the four disciplines in 1:39.05.
Lane Hasler was a champion in the boys 11-12 50 Meter Backstroke (:41.68).
Chinook had a great showing in the relays as well. Lori Mord, Mara Edwards , Rachel Stephens and Katie Tilleman won the 8 and Under Girls 100 Meter Freestyle with a time of 1:19.71.
Lane Hasler, Liam Edwards, Tyler Schoen and Oskar Pula combined to win gold in both the 11-12 Boys 200 Meter Freestyle (2:19.47) and 200 Meter Medley Relays (2:47.93).
The Chinook Lions and Harlem swim teams take a very accomplished group to the State Swim meet this weekend and hope to bring home a number of gold medals.
The kids are prepared and in position to have a great meet and surely will represent all of Blaine County well when called upon.
