State Class A swimming: Minnewaska's Opdahl will face tough competition

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When the swimming portion of the State Class A girls’ swimming and diving meet opens at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center on Friday at noon, Minnewaska-Morris junior Bridget Opdahl will be hitting the water.

Opdahl earned her spots at state in the 50 and 100 free events by time qualifying. Normally just the top two in each event at section meets advance, but by breaking the state standard, swimmers can also qualify.

The sprinter will open with the prelims of the 50 free, competing in the second of three heats.

In that seven-swimmer heat, Opdahl will compete against Danielle Nack of Mankato West, who holds the best heat time of 23.63, and the second best time in the event. The top time belongs to Whitney Weisz of Little Falls at 23.20.

Four medalists return to state in third place Kaitlin Kamm of St. Peter, fourth place Solveig Viren of Grand Rapids, seventh place Elizabeth Moline of Sauk Rapids-Rice, and Weisz, who was sixth last year.

In the 100 freestyle, Opdahl is in the first of three heats and comes in with a time of 54.46. The best heat time belongs to Abby Schnaith of Red Wing at 53.58, with the best time in the event belonging to Weisz with a 51.05.

Weisz was the runner-up in the 100 free last year, and joins fourth place Viren, fifth place Chandra Yueh of Breck School, sixth place Schnaith and eighth place Tarin Anding of Sartell-St. Stephen.

The finals of the State Class A meet will begin at noon on Saturday.

Tags: minnewaska sports, sports, lakers, girls, swimming, diving, opdahl