Check out how area girls swimming teams fared during the first two weeks of the season.
Wichita Heights Invitational
Wichita East won the team title with 356 points behind strong showings in the relays and its depth. The Aces took first in only one event – Madelyn Ong in the 100-yard backstroke -- but they received 68 points for finishing second in the 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay. East also got third in the 400 freestyle relay to add 32 points to its total. Along with four top-three finishes, the Aces also placed fourth three times and fifth three times.
Newton earned the top spot in five events, including the 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay, but the Railers still finished 41.5 points behind East. Betti Fuhr was a four-time winner for Newton as she took first in the 100 freestyle, 100 breaststroke and the two relays. Wichita Southeast was the only other team to have multiple victories. Emily Chesser had the fastest times in the 200 IM and 100 butterfly, which Chesser swam in 59.71 seconds.
Wichita North (229 points), Derby (173.5) and Dodge City (171) rounded out the top five. Chesser helped Southeast come in sixth with 138 points.
Greater Wichita Athletic League
Wichita East rolled through its first two league competitors, getting first place in all 12 events against Wichita Northwest and winning 11 against Wichita South. Bishop Carroll and Wichita North also are 2-0 in league. The Golden Eagles picked up a 66-32 victory over South to start the year and then beat Kapaun Mt. Carmel 103-64. Against South, Bishop Carroll won 10 events. The Redskins defeated Wichita Southeast 57-37 and Wichita West 70-29. North took the top spot in seven of 11 swimming events against Southeast and then nine of 11 against West.
Kapaun did pick up a 113-22 victory over West to begin the year. The Crusaders were victorious in every swimming event. Wichita Heights and Southeast had the most competitive league dual in March with the Falcons coming out on top 57-41. Both teams got first in six events, but seven second-place finishes and eight thirds gave Heights the edge.
Western Athletic Conference
Garden City took first in six swimming events, including all three relays, to win a home triangular against Dodge City and Liberal. Samantha Norton was a four-time winner (200 IM, 100 butterfly, 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay), helping the Buffaloes earn 245 points. Dodge City was the runner-up with 176 points thanks to victories in four events, and Liberal ended at 155.
