Blake/Breck Swimming Has Big Day At Prelims

The picked up two top seeds in the Class A state preliminary round Friday at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center in Minneapolis, and the Bearstangs will send 10 individuals and relays to Saturday’s final.

Mitchell Foster led the way for Blake/Breck, earning All-America Consideration by finishing the 100 backstroke in 51.26 and picking up the top seed. He was also part of the 200 medley relay—along with Bob Blease, Clark Sun and Tom Erdmann—that took the top prelim spot.

Austin Gromatzky is currently fourth in the 200 freestyle relay and seventh in the 100 butterfly. Foster finished seeded second in the 200 IM at 1:58.47, and Will Erickson is currently fifth in the 100 backstroke and sixth in the 100 freestyle.

The top eight swimmers in each event will compete in the championship heat on Saturday at noon, while swimmers that placed ninth through 16th will compete in the consolation heat.

BLAKE/BRECK PRELIMINARY RESULTS

200 medley relay: 1. Mitchell Foster, Bob Blease, Clark Sun, Tom Erdmann (1:38.10). 200 freestyle: 4. Austin Gromatzky (1:46.97). 200 IM: 2. M. Foster (1:58.47). 100 butterfly: 7. A. Gromatzky (55.16). 100 freestyle: 6. Will Erickson (49.01). 200 freestyle relay: 6. W. Erickson, C. Sun, T. Erdmann, A. Gromatzky (1:30.37). 100 backstroke: 1. M. Foster (51.26--AAC), 5. W. Erickson (55.87). 100 breastroke: 10. B. Blease (1:02.98). 400 freestyle relay: 5. A. Gromatzky, W. Erickson, C. Sun, M. Foster (3:20.03).