NPHS heads to State swim and dive competition

Mia Dugan, Staff Writer|February 26, 2020|1 Views

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Aspen Nelson

Junior Jonathan Brouillette practices his dives for State. The competition is taking place on Feb. 27. This is Brouillette’s third year competing at State, after a sixth place finish last year.

North Platte High School swimmers and divers will be competing at the State tournament in Lincoln, Neb. at the Devaney Center this weekend. Junior Jonathan Brouillette is currently ranked number two in the state for diving. Returning to the State springboard for the third time, he feels very confident about his upcoming competition. “Best case scenario, I can walk away with second place,” said Brouillette. “Right now, I am seeded second in the state, but the person in third has beaten me before.” Brouillette placed sixth at State dive last year. 

The State qualifying swimmers at their last practice at the North Platte Recreation Center before the competition.

 

Senior Natalie Miller also qualified for State dive this year. “I am ranked 21st out of 39 girls, so there will be a lot of good competition and it should be an intense meet,” said Miller. “My goal is to do better than I did last year, and make it to the second round.” 

Swimming in the 200 Medley Relay, junior Molly Fitzpatrick said the team unity intensifies before State. “Everyone gets really excited for State because it is one last time we can all join together as a team,” she said. 

Junior Kristopher Kautz swims the 200 Medley Relay and the 200 Free. “I am looking forward to the atmosphere at State, I have never been there before,” he said. “I hope to see both of our relays PR; that would be really cool.” 

Other qualifiers include freshman Dana Sorensen, junior Meleah Friedrich, junior Chase Leibhart, junior Ethan Mercer, senior Morgan Girard, and senior Caleb Tegtmeier. Subs are senior Rachel Hatch and senior Carter Lukas. 

Aspen Nelson
Senior Natalie Miller dives at practice on Feb. 25 in preparation for State. This will be her second appearance at State. Miller’s goal for the meet is to make it to the second round.

Tune in at https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/associations/nsaa to watch the swimming events live. Girls’ diving will begin on Thursday at 9:30 a.m., with boys’ dive following.  Girls’ swim starts on Friday at 9 a.m., and boys’ swim begins at 2 p.m. Swimming finals take place on Saturday at 11 a.m.