Sports : VSU Conference Swim Meet

The weather couldn't hold down the Stormin' Vikings swim team who had to wait until Monday to get their half of the Conference Meet in last night in Williamsburg. The other four teams in the Conference had already gotten their meet in at Boone on Saturday.

The team turned is a strong performance despite some adversity to capture with in the Conference, narrowly missing second by a mere 12 points. Swimming without one of their top performers in a couple of events due to injury, the team battled hard and nearly pulled off the wins over Boone and Newton to take 2nd.

On the night the Stormin' Vikes won two conference championships with the Medley Relay of Bradyn Schlief, Carter Kirtz, Isaac Allsup and Ian Allsup finishing in a school-record time that currently has them seeded in the top 15 in state. Carter Kirtz also won the Conference Championship in the 100 Breast for the second year in a row. Other podium finishes included Isaac Allsup 2nd in the 100 Back (in school-record time), Kirtz 2nd in the 200 IM, Ian Allsup 3rd in the 50 Free and 4th in the 500 Free, Bradyn Schlief 5th in the 100 Free, Wes Farrell 6th in the 200IM and 100 Back.

On the night the team turned in 34 new personal best times led by 4 from Sophomore Reid Hermanson who was outstanding. Reid dropped more than 30 seconds in his 200 Free to come in 12th with a 2:23.56. He also dropped 2 seconds in his 100 Free. Seven guys had three new personal bests including Vrba, Farrell, Ryan Williams, Elias Colsch, Thomas Jessen, Blake Soquet and Aleric Weber.

The results of the two meets are being finalized but a preliminary count and tentative results are attached.

The Stormin' Vikes travel Saturday to Dubuque for districts where they will compete for a chance to go to State. Opponents at the site will be Linn-Mar, CR Kennedy, Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Dubuque Senior, Dubuque Hempstead and Decorah

In each event, the top 32 individuals and 24 relays from across the state qualify for the State meet Saturday the 13th at Linn-Mar.