Last Tuesday, the Lady Rangers Swim and Dive team faced off against Byron Center for their senior night and last meet of the regular season. FHC put up a great effort but ultimately fell short, 124-62.
In the first two events, Byron Center put their ability on full display by taking multiple points in both the 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle.
The Rangers’ A relay team was able to place 2nd and earn 4 points with a 2:02.16 in the medley relay, but Byron Center took places 1st and 3rd to earn a combined 10 points.
Byron Center also outswam the Rangers in the 200 freestyle, taking 1st, 3rd,4th, and 5th. However, Junior Maggie Holt was able to snag a 2nd place finish with a 2:11.30, and Senior Norah Hemsley was able to secure 6th with a 2:20.94.
FHC also went up against some tough competition in the 200 IM and 50 free.
Junior Mady Scarlato and Freshman Natalie Holt led the way for the Rangers in the 200 IM. They placed 3-4, after the Bulldogs, with times of 2:30.61 and 2:31.06.
In the 50 free, Junior Allison Meny and Freshman Lola Lipke earned points after placing 4th and 6th with a 26.88 and 27.97. However, Byron Center took 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th to win that event once again.
The Rangers showed their strength in the diving events with their two young divers. Sophomores Mia Shaffer and Sydney Bresnahan placed 1-2 to take the diving portion of the meet and give some hope to FHC.
In the 100 fly, the Lady Bulldogs took 1-2, but the Rangers managed to earn some points from Scarlato and Sophomore Simiana Tyrell, who earned 3rd and 5th with a 1:10.30 and a 1:15.79.
In the 100 free, while the Bulldogs took 1-2 again, the Rangers rounded out the rest of the places. Maggie Holt took 2nd with a 59.81, Senior Kayla Quach took 3rd with a 1:00.04, Lipke took 5th with a 1:00.22, and Sophomore Ellie Palmer took 6th with a 1:00.29.
The Bulldogs once again proved their dominance in consecutive events, the 500 free and 200 free relay, but the Rangers managed to earn some points along the way. In the 500 free, Freshman Natalie Holt took 3rd with a 5:59.79, and Senior Norah Hemsley took 5th with a 6:17.78. In the relay, the Bulldogs took places 1-3, keeping the Rangers from earning any points.
FHC seemed to find themselves a little bit more in the 100 back and 100 breast. Meny and Senior Nora Magers placed 2-3 in the 100 backstroke with a 1:06.29 and a 1:07.18. Quach and Palmer went 3-4 in the 100 breaststroke, going a 1:21.52 and 1:25.59.
In the final event of the night, the 400 free relay, FHC swam to a strong finish. While BC took yet another win, the Rangers took 2-3 and tied the amount of points Byron Center earned.
While the Rangers closed their season with a loss, they were much improved from last season. Their efforts should not go unnoticed, and while they are graduating crucial swimmers, they have a great underclass group who can lead the team into the future. Congratulations Seniors!
