Elizabeth Wolfe (above), 7th, 100 breaststroke Kaitlyn O'Reilly, 8th, 100 backstroke
Farmington set school records for points and ranking in state competition and two girls won all-state honors. In other words, the Tigers 2010 trip to the state championships held last weekend at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center was a roaring success.
As a team the Tigers totaled 43 points and ranked 17th among 39 schools. That figure almost doubles the previous best of 26.5 set in the fall of 2005. The 2005 team finished 21st in the final rankings.
Farmington qualified for state in five events and made the finals in four of them: Kailtyn O'Reilly in the 100 backstroke and 200 individual medley; Elizabeth Wolfe in the 100 breaststroke and the 200 medley relay team of O'Reilly, Wolfe, Caitlin Kracke and Kirsten Kracke.
The 200 freestyle relay team of O'Reilly, the Kracke sisters and Ellie Sundet finished 24th in Friday's preliminaries and did not qualify for the finals.
"This is the most successful state meet we have ever had," coach Jen Marshall said. "The girls had some good performances and it is definitely something to build on for future seasons."
In Saturday's finals, Wolfe and O'Reilly each punched their all-state tickets by finishing among the top eight in their respective races.
Senior Wolfe ranked seventh in the 100 breaststroke with a 1:07.77 clocking while freshman O'Reilly took eighth in the 100 backstroke in 58.82. O'Reilly also earned points by placing 15th in the 200 individual medley.
Only one other Tiger has ever finished higher at the state meet. Laura Hanson took second in the 100 backstroke in 2001 when Farmington competed in the Class A meet.
The 200 medley relay team came within an eyelash of becoming the first Tiger relay team ever to earn all-state distinction. Farmington finished ninth with a time of 1:51.58, one spot out of the money.
The strong showing at state capped an outstanding season for the Tigers who won the Section 1AA True Team championship and placed second in both the Missota Conference and Section 1AA meets.
