Watching the Two Harbors Agates Swim and Dive Facebook page throughout their season has been a highlight of the fall for me. Not only is it impressive how much the small team achieved this year, but it’s touching and heartening to see the bond that was formed between these friends and teammates. I especially liked pictures that were posted displaying how fun-loving the team was. Seeing them wear “obnoxious” socks to practice to annoy their coach, or swimming with pumpkins for Halloween, and always rallying together with smiles on their faces, it would be hard not to root for this home team.
This year’s Minnesota Section 7A Swimming Sectionals was held in Hibbing on Saturday, November 11th.
Coach Heather Mayfield expressed the significance of the Sectionals the day before the meet, stating, “It’s the day we practice for all season long. The long practices and hours of staring at that blue line at the bottom of the pool…it all comes down to tomorrow.”
After the meet, Coach Mayfield happily reported, “These girls blew it away and swam and dove with all heart today.”
One standout performance came from Bella Imholte, who secured the Section Champion title in the 100 backstroke with a record-breaking time of 58.92. This achievement marks the first time in 34 years that the team has produced a Section Champion in the backstroke. Bella continued her success at the state level, clinching 10th place in the backstroke finals.
Section 7A Swim Meet Scores:
200 IM
- Kjersti Hansen: 13th place (2:37.20)
50 Free
- Bella Imholte: 3rd place (25.49)
- Brynn von Goertz: 18th place (27.98)
- MJ Wharton: 20th place (28.28)
- Lilly Johansen: 39th place (33.51)
Diving
- Harper Smith: 14th place (244.45)
100 Fly
- Brynn von Goertz: 17th place (1:14.60)
100 Free
- Ava Oswald-Swenson: 9th place (59.48)
- Toby McDonald: 38th place (1:12.63)
- Lilly Johansen: 40th place (1:17.10)
500 Free
- Kjersti Hansen: 15th place (6:16.12)
200 Freestyle Relay
- Bella Imholte, Harper Smith, Brynn von Goertz, Ava Oswald-Swenson: 6th place (1:49.22)
100 Backstroke
- Bella Imholte: 1st place and STATE BOUND with a new school record 58.92
- MJ Wharton: 10th place (1:09.72)
- Harper Smith: 14th place (1:11.18)
- Kate Senst: 34th place (1:26.51)
100 Breaststroke
- Ava Oswald-Swenson: 5th place (1:18.13)
- Elizabeth Larson: 38th place (1:36.29)
- Toby McDonald: 42nd place (1:40.38)
400 Freestyle Relay
- Kjersti Hansen, Brynn von Goertz, Harper Smith, MJ Wharton: 8th place (4:21.02)
The already amazing season has a cherry on top. The team achieved the gold standard for a GPA of 3.98. They have the highest GPA of Section 7A. Juggling many swim practices, meets, and homework, along with all teenager’s things, the dedication to both their sport and their schooling is phenomenal.
Coach Mayfield summed up the season with pride, stating, “So incredibly proud of the bond that has been created between these ladies from Two Harbors, Silver Bay, and Grand Marais; it truly is like no other I’ve ever seen. Will miss seeing the joy, laughter, and love…until next year!”
Congratulations to the Two Harbors Agates Swim and Dive team, their coaches, and their family and friends for a great season!
Feel free to reach out to sarahwritesnsj@yahoo.com with any news we should news about!
