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Chisago Lakes 112

Forest Lake 72

Standing at 6-0 on the season, the Chisago Lakes girls swimming and diving team was doing well, still, they were looking for something more. They knew they could swim faster, finish stronger, and dive better. All they needed was a break-out week to kick it in gear. This past week, they got it as Chisago Lakes jumped to a whole new level with wins over Forest Lake and Milaca.

Last Tuesday versus the Rangers, things clicked right from the beginning as the ‘Cats pulled in front early 20-10, then 42-20, then 73-37. The Wildcats continued that pace the rest of way, earning a dominating 112-72 win.

Individually, Lindsey Koch finished first in the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle, Allie Jones placed first in the 200 individual medley and 100 backstroke, Erin Cunningham took top honors in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle, and Molly McGurk added a first place finish in the 100 breaststroke.

Chisago Lakes 112

Forest Lake 72

Individual Results- Top 3

(CL only):

200 Medley Relay:

1. Chisago Lakes 2:04.50

Allie Jones, Molly McGurk, Steph Peterson, Laura Chelberg

3. Chisago Lakes 2:16.28

Nikki Willhite, Mandy Boo, Emily Stein, Caitlin Cunningham

200 Freestyle:

1. Lindsey Koch 2:09.86

2. Jessica Tollberg 2:15.00

200 Individual Medley:

1. Allie Jones 2:30.77

50 Freestyle:

1. Erin Cunningham 27.53

2. Caitlin Cunningham 28.81

3. Emily Merritt 29.50

Diving:

2. Erica Greene 212.30

3. Courtney Langer 187.60

100 Butterfly:

2. Laura Chelberg 1:09.03

3. Stephanie Peterson 1:11.03

100 Freestyle:

1. Erin Cunningham 59.55

2. Jessica Tollberg 1:02.38

3. Emily Merritt 1:03.38

500 Freestyle:

1. Lindsey Koch 5:50.03

2. Laura Chelberg 5:59.53

3. Lauren Koch 6:12.04

200 Freestyle Relay:

2. Chisago Lakes 1:55.51

Lindsey Koch, Emily Merritt, Emily Stein, Erin Cunningham

3. Chisago Lakes 1:57.90

Steph Peterson, Kristie Waddell, Molly McGurk, Jess Tollberg

100 Backstroke:

1. Allie Jones 1:05.20

100 Breaststroke:

1. Molly McGurk 1:14.56

2. Mandy Boo 1:19.90

3. Andrea Nickelson 1:21.25

400 Free Relay:

1. Chisago Lakes 4:07.89

Erin Cunningham, Laura Chelberg, Allie Jones, Lindsey Koch

3. Chisago Lakes 4:42.60

Emily Merritt, Caitlin Cunningham, Lauren Koch, Jess Tollberg

Chisago Lakes 99

Milaca 87

While the results were positive versus Forest Lake, Chisago Lakes had no intentions of letting down last Thursday in Milaca. They couldn’t. Along with the Wildcats and Princeton, the Wolves are considered to be one of the favorites to win the conference and maybe even the section.

Milaca wasted little time, proving the critics right with an explosive start. The Wolves rolled through the opening half of the meet, racking up four straight first place finishes, helping them to a 60-50 lead going into the 500 freestyle.

After posting her best time ever in the 500 earlier in the week versus Forest Lake, senior Lindsey Koch took control of the pool, shaving four seconds off her career time, winning the race with a time of 5:46.09. If that wasn’t enough, Laura Chelberg rolled in second gaining more points, pulling the ‘Cats within two, 64-62.

Already jam packed with confidence, Koch made her mark again on the next race, anchoring the 200 freestyle relay, helping Chisago to their second consecutive first place finish, propelling the Wildcats in first for the first time all night. Allie Jones and Molly McGurk took over from there, winning the 100 backstroke and 100 breaststroke, giving the ‘Cats a 10 point advantage going into the final race. Only needing a second place finish to win, the Wildcats 400 freestyle relay team went a step further by finishing first, putting the final exclamation point on a jaw dropping 99-87 comeback win.

“Our girls in the 500 freestyle were huge,” said Ed Wakefield, Chisago Lakes swimming head coach. “Lindsey’s time was four seconds better than her career mark. She swam out of her mind. I think it was her best week of the season by far. Then, Molly (McGurk) finishes first in the 100 breaststroke. She had a bad hip and the breaststroke is probably the worst kick you could do with that type of injury. She gutted it out and swam out of her mind. When it was over, she could barely walk.”

It’s an easy bet that the pain subsided awfully quick. As a matter of fact, the entire squad is feeling great. Now 8-0 on the season, 2003 has gone well beyond anyone’s expectations to this point.

“I never thought we would beat them (Milaca),” remarked Wakefield. “I didn’t really expect things to do this well. We have upperclassmen stepping up way above what they did last year and then we have really talented freshman. We have three or four freshman helping us out big time. Those are just two keys to our success.”

Next up, the Wildcats put that perfect record on the line Thursday night with a home meet versus Foley. The action in the pool starts at 6 p.m.

Chisago Lakes 99

Milaca 87

Individual Results- Top 3

(CL only):

200 Medley Relay:

1. Chisago Lakes 2:00.89

Allie Jones, Molly McGurk, Steph Peterson, Laura Chelberg

200 Freestyle:

1. Lindsey Koch 2:08.02

200 Individual Medley:

2. Allie Jones 2:31.68

50 Freestyle:

1. Erin Cunningham 27.52

Diving:

2. Erica Greene 213.35

3. Lauren Trudeau 201.25

100 Butterfly:

2. Laura Chelberg 1:09.30

100 Freestyle:

1. Erin Cunningham 59.48

500 Freestyle:

1. Lindsey Koch 5:46.09

2. Laura Chelberg 5:57.72

200 Freestyle Relay:

1. Chisago Lakes 1:51.35

Emily Stein, Molly McGurk, Erin Cunningham, Lindsey Koch

3. Chisago Lakes 1:55.49

Steph Peterson, Emily Merritt, Caitlin Cunningham, Jess Tollberg

100 Backstroke:

1. Allie Jones 1:05.50

100 Breaststroke:

1. Molly McGurk 1:14.31

3. Mandy Boo 1:20.91

400 Free Relay:

1. Chisago Lakes 3:58.51

Erin Cunningham, Laura Chelberg, Allie Jones, Lindsey Koch

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