WEBB CITY, Mo. — Carl Junction and Webb City both had impressive showings in the first girls swim meet of the season on Tuesday night at the Buck Miner Swim Center.
The Bulldogs won all their head to head matchups, scoring 105 to Webb City’s 74 points, 106 to Monett’s 72 points, and 127 to Joplin’s 26 points. Their stellar showing was highlighted by first place wins in nine of the 12 events.
“I think they did fantastic,” Carl Junction coach Stephanie Miller said. “Our goal today was just to have fun and make it through the first set of events with nobody missing and nobody getting hurt. The 200 IM and the 500 races really stuck out to me, including the close race between Miller and Whitesell. I love a good race, and it was all exciting.”
Carl Junction’s Chloe Miller led the way in the water with wins in the 200-yard freestyle (2:07), the 500 freestyle (5:41), and was part of the 400 freestyle relay first place team (4:13).
Other CJ winners included Emma Lacey (100 butterfly, 1:07), Sophia Hensley (100 freestyle, 1:03), Kennedy Johnson (100 backstroke, 1:20) and Skyler Sundy (100 breaststroke, 1:20).
The Bulldogs also had numerous second and third place finishes.
“A lot of the girls did secondary races today just to get in the groove,” Coach Miller said. “We have a big meet on Saturday that we are looking forward to.”
Webb City won their head-to-head matchups with Joplin (139-29) and Monett (94-90). The Cardinals were led by Sophia Whitesell and Skylar Powell. Whitesell took first in the 200 individual medley (2:24) and Powell took first in the 50 freestyle (27.34).
In the relays, the Cardinals placed third in the 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle, as well as placing fourth in the 200 medley.
“For it being our first meet back, a lot of the girls were surprisingly close to where they were last year,” Webb City coach Shawn Klosterman said. “It’s been nine months since they raced, but it’s going really well. We have a lot of new fish that are showing some talent. We have our returning swimmers who really want to do well at COC and want to try and get relays qualified (for state). It’s just a matter of how much do they want it and what kind of shape they can get in to do it.”
Despite not winning any of their head-to-head matchups, Joplin showed promising signs going forward.
Joplin’s Allie Lawrence took fifth in the 100 freestyle (1:11), while Taegan Smith was eighth in both the 200 IM (3:12) and the 100 breaststroke (1:33).
“We only had six competing today, and all of them improved in their times,” Joplin coach Juliana Hughes said. “Our medley relay was really strong, considering it was our first meet of the season. We have a couple first-time swimmers that did really amazing. I hope to improve on our relay times and for all of our swimmers to lower their individual times.”
Monett won their matchup against Joplin (132-33).
Webb City Invitational Dual Scores
Webb City 94, Monett 90
Webb City 139, Joplin 29
Carl Junction 105, Webb City 74
Carl Junction 106, Monett 72
Carl Junction 127, Joplin 26
Monett 132, Joplin 33
