Albert Lea sends 2 swimmers to consolation finals round of state meet

Published 10:35 pm Friday, November 17, 2017

MINNEAPOLIS — Four members of the Albert Lea girls’ swim team were in Minneapolis Friday for the Minnesota state high school swim and dive meet.

Jaeda Koziolek, Emily Taylor, Natalie Nafzger and Lydia Boorsma all took part in the 200-yard medley relay. Koziolek also raced in the 200-yard individual medley and 100-yard backstroke, and Taylor competed in the 100-yard breaststroke.

Jaeda Koziolek swims in the third heat of the 200-yard individual medley. She finished in 20th place with a time of 2:18.42. – Tyler Julson/Albert Lea Tribune

To advance into Saturday’s portion of the meet, teams or individuals must finish in the top 16 overall, with the top eight making the championship finals.

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The day got started with the 200-yard medley relay, in which the Tigers took 22nd place overall and eighth place in the fourth heat with a time of 1:54.15.

Next up for Albert Lea was Koziolek in the 200-yard individual medley. She finished with a time of 2:18.42, which earned her 20th place overall and seventh place in her heat.

Albert Lea senior Natalie Nafzger swims in the butterfly portion of the 200-yard medley relay. The Tigers needed to place in the top-16 to move on to Saturday’s race, but unfortunately fell short at 22nd place. – Tyler Julson/Albert Lea Tribune

Koziolek would compete in her third event of the day, and this time she would find a more desirable outcome. She finished with a time of 1:00.52 in the 100-yard backstroke, which was enough to earn her 16th place and a spot in the consolation finals round.

Albert Lea’s last event of the day saw Emily Taylor racing in the 100-yard breaststroke. Taylor was able to take fifth place in her heat and 13th place overall with a time of 1:08.40. She will be joining Koziolek as one of the two Tigers swimmers to advance to the second day of the state meet.

The consolation and championship finals are scheduled to start at noon Saturday. Koziolek will race in the 10th event of the day and Taylor will race in the 11th. Look to the Tribune as more results become available.

Albert Lea freshman Jaeda Koziolek readies herself for the opening leg of the 200-yard medley relay. Koziolek, along with Emily Taylor, Natalie Nafzger and Lydia Boorsma finished in 22nd place with a time of 2:18.42. – Tyler Julson/Albert Lea Tribune

About Tyler Julson

Tyler Julson covers sports for the Albert Lea Tribune.

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