A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
CEC's Jen Saari competes in a 100 meter butterfly race during Tuesday's swim meet in Proctor.
Kaitlyn Vaineo swims the 200m freestyle event Tuesday.
After graduating six seniors from last year's team, the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton girls swim team is hoping to reload and have another successful season.
"Returning powerhouse seniors are captains Julia Peterson, and Amy Schwoch along with Rilee Durovec in diving," said CEC head coach Rachel Peterson.
The Lumberjacks also have a strong group of juniors led by Nattie Butler. Freyja Lopez is a newer addition to the team, but is already making waves as a returning junior.
"Rounding out our juniors are solid performers Allison Ringat, Makayla Linden and Jolie Urie," Peterson said. "We have two returning sophomores, six freshman, 10 eighth graders and three new seventh graders."
In all Peterson has 29 swimmers available on a nightly basis for the 'Jacks.
Last year Durovec participated in the state meet in diving. Peterson hopes that more swimmers get that chance this season.
"We are always shooting for a successful season and opportunities to participate in the state meet," she said. "There is a lot of excellent talent in our section which will make for a very competitive season. We have a lot of season remaining to determine where our strengths lie and who will perform well enough within our highly competitive section. Only the top two swimmers in each event advance."
Though the season is still early, Peterson likes what she's seen so far.
"We are seeing steady improvement and stable times from everyone," said Peterson. "We are excited to have three new seventh graders who are doing very well."
On Tuesday night the Lumberjacks traveled to Proctor to take on Proctor/Hermantown and, despite losing 52-40, they had numerous strong swims across the board.
"We knew it would be a tough meet because they have probably one of the top two teams in the section," said Peterson.
Top CEC results include Nattie Butler with first place in the 60 freestyle, Julia Peterson at first in the 100 backstroke and 100 freestyle, and Amy Schwoch with a first in the 100 breaststroke.
The Lumberjacks grabbed a second in the medley relay with Peterson, Schwoch, Butler and Ailie Laine teaming up. The CEC team of Allison Ringat, Ady Parks, Sheena Fierst and Katelyn Vaineo placed second in the 160-yard freestyle relay. CEC also took second in the 400 freestyle relay with Butler, Ringat, Laine and Peterson racing for the 'Jacks.
CEC will travel to Two Harbors next Tuesday and then will host Superior on Thursday, Sept. 19.
