BHS swim team enjoying good times
News Republic Sports
When a team is undefeated on the season, the atmospheresurrounding it tends to be light and the fun at a constant peak. Of course when it's time to get serious, play time is over. The Baraboo Thunderbirds swim team enjoyed both on Tuesday — frivolity and focus — welcoming Lodi and River Valley to the Jack Young Middle School for a triangular meet. With it being a non-conference affair and Parents Night, the squad mixed business with pleasure while still capturing first place with a score of 133. River Valley placed second, 118, and Lodi third, 99. "The girls have fun with a meet like this — they just go out and don't worry so much about times and try something new," said BHS coach Lynn Keeling. Freshman Gemma Pillsbury never swam the 55-yard freestyle before. She may want to more often. The frosh won the even in a time of 5:40.31. "Gemma's time in the 500 having never done it before was just outstanding," said Keeling. "We have a lot of girls doing well right now." The varsity 200-medley relay teams grabbed first and second-place medals expected. The foursome of Emily O'Rourke, Blair Murphy, Lacey Craker and Brianne Schwarz finished out front with a time of 1:58.33. The other T-Birds medley team — Emily Thompson, Shannon Keeling, Ellie Reufer, Gemma Pillsbury — touched home less than a second later. "That was great see in the medley races. We have some good internal competition going on and that helps everyone improve," said Keeling. Individually, Lacey Craker achieved a personal best in the 100-fly, placing third behind BHS' Shannon Keeling (29.65) and Ellie Reufer (29.72) with a finish of 31.29. Sophomore Cierra Myers had a solid meet all-around, placing in the top spot in the 50-free (27.75) and third in the 100-free (1:01.74). Junior Blair Murphy put out her best time in the 100-breastroke, clocking in at 1.11.57. O'Rourke took the meet's best time in the event, touching the wall at 1:02.99. Baraboo returns to action Thursday on the road vs. LaCrosse-Logan and LaCrosse-Central. BHS Varsity/JV top finishers: 200-medley: JV: Sarah Livingston, Carly Trotter, Amaya Larson, Brittany Smith (2:16.52) 200-free: JV: Atley Oldenburg (2:25.14) 200 IM: JV: Aleah Kuchta (2:33.78) 50-free: JV: Amaya Larson (28:48) 100-fly JV:Blair Murphy (1:08.70) 100-free: JV: Sarah Livingston (1:04.70) 500-free: JV: Katie Baird (6:01.69) 200-free: JV: Jessica Mueller, Sarah Livingston Atley Oldenburg, Amaya Larson (1:59.46) 100-backstroke: JV: Brittany Waldron (1:13.67) 100-breastroke: JV: Jessica Mueller (1:21.56) 200-free relay: JV: Atley Oldenburg, Sarah Garcia, Brynna Mering, Brittany Waldron (4:34.85).