Fusion fare well in prelims at state meet

Ben Frericks competes in the 200 medley relay. 

Frericks is a senior making his first appearance in the state meet.

PHOTOS BY TIM MIECZKOWSKI

The Fusion fared well in preliminaries Friday with several swimmers advancing to the medal round. Both the 200 and 400 freesyle relay teams finished sixth, which guarantees them a state medal.

The way it works is the top eight qualifiers in prelims race on Saturday in the finals. The other eight teams race for place, but a 9th place team in prelims cannot finish higher than ninth. But an eighth place teamn could finish first.

Which could happen if Friday's results were any indication. Jacob Koetter entered the meet seeded 19th in the 50 freestyle yet guaranteed himself a medal by finishing eighth by one hundredth of a second. His time was 22.34.

It's no secret that swimmers tend to swim their fastest at the state meet. Perhaps its the water at the U of M Aquatic Center. More than likely its the competition and the adrenaline.

The 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams, made up of Koetter, Jay Zachman, Eddie Bosl and Shay Mieczkowski in the 200 and Koetter, Alex Beste, Zachman and Mieczkowski in the 400 each finished sixth and are also guaranteed a state medal.

Other results include:
*19th place finish for the 200 medley relay team of Chad Rueter, Eddie Bosl, Ben Frericks and Gregg Stein.
* Shay Mieczkowski 15th in the 200 freestyle
* Eddie Bosl 12th in the 100 butterfly
* Shay Mieczkowski 14th in the 100 freestyle

Shay Mieczkowski competed in four events Friday. 

Mieczkowski is capping off a great career and will be 

part of the 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams that 

will battle saturday in the medal round.

Finals resume tomorrow. Check back for details.....

-BZ