Despite the lack of a diving team, the girls’ swim team placed second in the 2A sections meet. The team advanced swimmers in nine events to the state meet Nov. 19-20 at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center.

Junior Kailey DeLozier said she was impressed with the team’s performance and its ability to move swimmers through to state.

“I’m really proud of how the team finished,” DeLozier said. “I think we exceeded our expectations.”

Assistant coach Amanda Forsberg said single A is a better fit for the team. She said the ability to perform more evenly showed in its success at sections.

“I think we fit better in single A based on the size of our school and the way our team is comprised,” Forsberg said. “Obviously, the standards are a little bit slower, but we aren’t the same size as Minnetonka or Edina.”

Senior captain Heather Westwood, juniors Sydney Hall, DeLozier and freshman Sara Anderson broke the school record at sections, advancing to state in the 400 meter freestyle relay.

Hall, DeLozier, Anderson and freshman Mazie Lainsbury advanced in the 200 meter freestyle relay.

Individually, DeLozier advanced in the 200 meter and 500 meter freestyle, Hall advanced in the 50 meter and 100 meter freestyle and Westwood advanced in the 100 meter butterfly. Freshman Lexi Lee advanced in the 200 meter individual medley and eighth grader Hattie Kugler advanced in the 100 meter breaststroke.

All of the events advancing, relay or individual, placed in the top eight at sections.

Lee said she looks forward to the competitive environment of the state meet and hopes to do well in her events.

“I’m looking forward to hanging out with the team and seeing some really fast swims,” Lee said. “My goal is to make it to finals in the events I’m swimming.”

Lee said the team relaxes and prepares mentally for the state meet.

“We have continued our taper after sections and I have been visualizing my events to prepare,” Lee said.

Forsberg said the swimmers moving on to state worked hard to keep their taper and prepare mentally for the meet.

“A lot of it is just your mindset,” Forsberg said. “If you think your taper will hold and you are in a positive mind frame, you will do well and that’s all we can ask for.”

State preliminaries and finals start at 12 p.m. Nov. 19-20.