Conklin breaks pool diving record
WEST FARGO – As the girls swim and dive season continues, Minot High senior Haley Conklin continues to impress at each event in her diving performances. Friday, October 4, Conklin posted 297.35 for the win and Saturday, October 5, her score of 523.95 for first place was well out of reach as Branwen Loeffler from Grand Forks Red River in second had 291.25 while fellow Majette Gracyn Bergen scored 386.80 for third place.
“Haley broke the pool record in diving. She is just absolutely beautiful to watch,” said Minot High head coach Emily Jensen. “Her pose as an athlete, her demeanor on the pool deck and her character make her a dream. It’s always fun to hear when coaches, officials, parents and athletes compliment her athletic ability. But when they compliment her character it is a new kind of ‘proud’ as a coach.”
The Majettes wasted no time in setting the tone as the 200-yard medley relay team of Ava Williamson, Haili Metzger, Sam VonBokern and Emily Dunstan posted a 1:53.69 to beat Shanley who recorded a 1:54.94 for second.
“We came ready to race and really got after it. Our medley relay set the tone with a big win for us,” said Jensen. “We cut two seconds off our time and each member really stepped up.”
VonBokern was the top swimmer in the 500 freestyle with a state qualifying time of 5:18.44 and second in the 50 freestyle with another state qualifying time of 24.73 for Minot High.
“Sam continues to have impressive- posting times that are ranking her top in the state in almost every event,” said Jensen. “She trains hard and models- by example- a strong work ethic. Her relay splits consistently keep us in the mix each meet.”
Minot High claimed the top spot with a team score of 288 while Bismarck Century was second at 245.5 and Bismarck Century was third at 225.
“Overall I am pleased with today,” said Jensen. “We were missing a couple teams from the state [at the meet] but it is the truest picture of where some of us will individually fall in the state.”
Minot High had the winning time for the 200 freestyle relay on Friday as Williamson, Dunstan, Bostyn Edwards and VonBokern posted a 1:43.65 time. VonBokern also won the 200 freestyle with a state qualifying time of 1:56.42 and was second in the 100 backstroke with another state qualifying time of 1:00.93.
“We had some girls in some off events, maybe some events that we wouldn’t have put them in to score the best,” said Jensen. “Right now we are looking to get our best line up for ‘state’ and what that will look like. We need to create some depth in events, and we need that depth to make an impact.
The Minot High 200 medley relay team of Williamson, Metzger, Sam VanBokern and Sophia Von Bokern were second with a time of 1:56.31 while Edwards in the 100 breaststroke posted a state qualifying time of 1:14.04 for second place. Williams also posted a state qualifying mark of 26.84 in the 50 freestyle for third place on Friday.
Sheyenne Quint Meet Scores
Minot High 112, WF Sheyenne 74
Minot High 129, West Fargo 56
Minot High 140, Bismarck High 46
Legacy 98, Minot High 85
Legacy 113, WF Sheyenne 70
Legacy 123, West Fargo 53
Legacy 132, Bismarck High 51
WF Sheyenne 114, West Fargo 71
WF Sheyenne 134, Bismarck High 52
West Fargo 104, Bismarck High 81
West Fargo Invite Results
1. Minot High 288
2. Century 245.5
3. Legacy 225
4. Shanley 215
5. Moorhead 201
6. WF Horace 188
7. WF Sheyenne 142
8. Williston 124
9. GF Red River 116
9. Dickinson 116
11. West Fargo 112
12. Fargo Davies 87
13. Mandan 62
14. Fargo South 61
15. Bismarck High 57
16. Central 52
17. Wahpeton 33.5