Hornets Swim Team Impressive in Home Opener

The Saline Hornets girls’ swim team opened their home season by dominating two opponents in a tri-meet. The defending state champs beat Tecumseh 145-41 and Grosse Ile 146-37. In the process, one relay team and 15 individual times made the cut for the Division I State meet.

“That’s a big part of our goal; to get as many girls as we can [to the State meet].  The earlier they get those cuts, those girls tend to relax and go back to work not having to worry so much,” said head coach Todd Brunty.

Saline took first place in all 11 swimming events. The team also placed second in eight of those same events, displaying their depth and talent in every area. Highlighting the evening for Saline were their qualifying swimmers.

Maddy Frost, Kate Rogers, Emily Lau and Nikki Flynn qualified in the 200 yard relay with a time of 1:51.91. Frost also qualified 100 yard free (53.77) and 100 yard back (59.02), while Flynn qualified in the 50 yard free (24.67) and 100 yard free (53.28). Rogers earned her way on the 50 yard free (24.83) and 100 yard backstroke (1:00.87), and Lau made the 100 yard fly (59.47).

Also qualifying for the Hornets were Melanie Schroeder in the 200 yard free (1:59.32) and 500 yard free (5:18.93), Cristina Czyrka in the 200 yard Individual Medley (2:13.58) and 100 yard breaststroke (1:07.86), Alex McPherson in the 500 yard free (5:17.28), Serena Yan in the 100 yard backstroke (1:02.13), Sammy Richart in the 100 yard breaststroke (1:08.69) and Hannah Lau in the 100 yard breast stroke (1:10.56).

“We had a bunch of girls swim real well tonight. There wasn’t really one standout. It’s the story of our team,” said Brunty.

In diving, Jordan Toor completely was in a class of her own.Her score of 211.60 was 42.05 points higher than the next closest competitor, Tecumseh’s Sarah Kelly. Caitlin Cunningham (157.60) and Nikki Kermath (155.45) took third and fourth in diving, respectively.

The Hornets travel to Ann Arbor Pioneer for their next meet on Thursday, Sept. 22.

is donating to the Saline girls swim and dive team.