LocalSportsJournal.com
LUDINGTON — Seven first-place finishes spurred the Mona Shores Greater Muskegon co-op girls swimming and team to a 105-78 win at Ludington in a non-conference meet on Thursday night.
“It was great to see everyone swim/dive with more hunger and pride,” said Lady Turtles coach Michael Homan. “We saw a lot more confidence in our swims/dives and saw people stepping up on a night when every race was a battle to the wall. I was very proud of how we overcame many obstacles and came together for a very well-earned team win.”
The Lady Turtles set 17 personal records. Leading the way was tri-captain Sydney Systema, who won both the 50-yard freestyle (26.59) and the 100-yard backstroke (1:10.21).
Other first-place finishers for the Lady Turtles were Naomi Huttenga in the 200-yard freestyle (2:18.27), Hollen Emmick in the 1-meter diving (140.10 points), Robyn Hunt in the 500-yard freestyle (5:46.94), Marilyn Gaston in the 100-yard freestyle (1:00.76) and Gaston, Sophia Zziwambazza, Eva Stout and Maria Eenigenburg in the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:53.37).
Ludington had 16 career best swims in individual events and three season best swims.
“I was impressed with our relay splits from a number of girls,” said Ludington coach Kelly Hatch. “The swimmers had someone to race in every event, so it was exciting to watch close races.”
Madison Bearup won two individual events and swam a leg on the winning 200-yard medley relay team.
Bearup was first in the 200-yard IM as well as the 100-yard breaststroke, swam the lead on the 200-yard medley relay and anchored the 400-yard freestyle relay.
Erika Hatch, Cora Mahler and Reese Willis also swam on the 200 medley relay. Also swimming on the 400 freestyle relay for the Orioles were Reese Willis, Hatch and Mahler.
Mahler also won the 100-yard butterfly.
Both teams compete in the Up North Invite at Manistee on Saturday.
