Friday, November 6, 2009

Regional title in pocket, WRHS girls head to state

Swimmers head to Boise to defend state crown

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Make it six regional championships in a row for the Wood River High School girls' swimming team coached by Brian Gallagher!

Wood River's 11-swimmer girls' team out-pointed second-place Hillcrest of Idaho Falls by a wide 123-point margin Saturday, Oct. 31 at the regional championship in Twin Falls.

The Wood River girls, placing first in five of the eight individual events and staying unbeaten in the three relays, amassed 433 points. Hillcrest had 310 and Idaho Falls 261.

Capturing individual golds for Wood River were Michael Coiner (100 free), Taylor Coiner (200 free and 500 free), Lena Friesen (100 fly) and Elizabeth Fry (100 breast). Second places went to Melissa Becker (200 free), Michael Coiner (100 back) and Elizabeth Fry (100 fly).

The girls won the 200 medley, 200 free and 400 free relays.

With only six boys, Wood River placed a strong third among 17 schools in the regional boys' team standings. Skyline of Idaho Falls had 345 points, Hillcrest 276.5 and Wood River finished with 260.

Regional silver medalists for the boys were Jon Atkinson (50 free), Gene Fairbrother (100 fly) and JT Sutton (100 free).

State competition begins Friday, Nov. 6 in Boise, where the Wood River girls will be seeking their fifth consecutive state swimming title. Wood River still holds state records in 400 free and 200 free relays.

Here are top team rankings and Wood River individual placings from last Saturday's Twin Falls regional meet:

Girls' teams: 1—WRHS 433. 2—Hillcrest of Idaho Falls 310. 3—Idaho Falls 261. 4—Skyline of Idaho Falls 191. 5—Bonneville of Idaho Falls 180. 6—Twin Falls 158 (15 schools).

Individual girls: Tayler Bates 4—500 free and 5—200 IM. Melissa Becker 2—200 free and 6—500 free. Audrey Brassil 13—100 breast and 22—50 free.

Michael Coiner 1—100 free and 2—100 back. Taylor Coiner 1—200 free and 1—500 free. Tori Emerick 6—200 IM and 6—100 back. Lena Friesen 1—100 fly and 4—100 back. Elizabeth Fry 1—100 breast and 2—100 fly.

Lauren Lichtenberg 8—100 breast and 12—100 free. Chrystal Tullis 4—50 free and 6—100 free. Colby Werley 3—100 breast and 4—200 IM.

Boys' teams: 1—Skyline of Idaho Falls 345. 2—Hillcrest of Idaho Falls 276.5. 3—WRHS 260. 4—Bonneville of Idaho Falls 239.5. 5—Idaho Falls 189 (17 schools).

Individual boys: Jon Atkinson 2—50 free and 3—100 free. Bryce Ervin 6—100 breast and 6—50 free. Gene Fairbrother 2—100 fly and 5—100 back. Matt Lichtenberg 8—100 breast and 25—100 free. Adam Potts 3—500 free and 6—200 free. JT Sutton 2—100 free and 4—200 free.