Albert Lea boys’ swim team advances 2 on to section consolation finals

Published 9:26 pm Thursday, February 21, 2019

ROCHESTER — The Albert Lea boys’ swim and dive team competed at the Section 1A prelims Thursday afternoon in Rochester.

The young Tigers team swam some of its best times of the year, often beating their qualifying times. However, they were overmatched by some of the larger and more experienced teams in the section, only qualifying two events for the consolation championships Friday.

In the first event of the day, the team of senior Louis Wagner, juniors Thomas Lundell and Garrett Everett, and sophomore William Taylor swam in the 200-yard medley relay. The team came in ninth place with a time of 2:06.77, giving the Tigers their first consolation qualifier.

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William Taylor swam again in the very next event, the 200-yard freestyle. He came in 23rd out of 33 swimmers with a time of 2:04.48. Freshman Jakob Malakowsky and eighth-grader Percy Brekke also swam in the event, Malakowsky coming in 28th with a time of 2:14.56 and Brekke coming in 32nd with a time of 2:24.72. Alex Jorgenson of Winona won the event with a time of 1:48.43.

Four Tigers swam in the 50-yard freestyle including Garrett Everett, Lundell, Wagner and eighth-grader Charles Brekke. Everett was the top finisher of the four coming in 25th place with a time of 25.39. Lundell came in 31st (27.57), Wagner in 34th (29.21) and Charles Brekke in 35th (33.28). Jack Herczeg won the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 21.63.

Albert Lea senior Louis Wagner finished the 50-yard freestyle in 34th place with a time of 29.21. The Tigers advanced two relays to the consolation finals Friday. – Tyler Julson/Albert Lea Tribune

After a mandatory 20-minute break after the 50-yard freestyle, the teams were back in the pool for the 100-yard freestyle. Eighth-grader Lucas Everett and seventh-grader Jacob Taylor swam in the first heat of the event, Lucas Everett coming in 34th place with a time of 1:15.05 and Jacob Taylor coming in 35th with a time of 1:17.83. Garrett Everett was the top placewinner for Albert Lea with a time of 56.77, coming in 22nd place. Erik Larson of Northfield won the event with a time of 48.57.

William Taylor was up next in the 500-yard freestyle, and took the highest individual place finish of the day for the Tigers. William Taylor finished in 19th place with a time of 5:36.07. Ethan Schaffer of Northfield took first place with a time of 4:55.83.

After a disqualification in the 200-yard freestyle relay, the Tigers got back on track with three swimmers in the first heat of the 100-yard backstroke. Malakowsky, Wagner and Jacob Taylor ended the race in 23rd, 31st and 32nd, respectively. Rafe Dolan Peterson of Austin won the race with a time of 55.35.

Pacey, Charles Brekke, Lucas Everett and Lundell all swam in the 100-yard breaststroke to end the individual races. Lundell was the highest finisher for the Tigers, coming in at 30th place with a time of 1:22.49.

In the final race of the meet, the team of Pacey, Charles Brekke, Wagner and Malakowsky came in ninth place of the 400-yard freestyle relay — the Tigers’ second event to qualify for the consolation finals.

The two teams that qualified for the consolations will race again at noon Friday at Rochester Recreation Center.

About Tyler Julson

Tyler Julson covers sports for the Albert Lea Tribune.

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