MINNEAPOLIS-All five Brainerd Warriors swam faster than their seed times, including a school record in the 100-yard butterfly, but none were able to advance to the championship finals following the Class 2A state prelims Friday at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center.
Gunnar Niemeyer turned in a 52.72 in the butterfly that broke the Brainerd record of 52.97 set four years ago by Josh McKeag. Niemeyer had been seeded 25th and his time Friday moved him up to 21st, but it wasn't fast enough to swim the second day.
The top eight finishers in each event advance to Saturday's championship round while those placing 9-16 swim in the consolation.
"It's amazing how fast the times are down here," said Brainerd head coach John Zemke. "A school record in the butterfly and still only 21st. Four years ago McKeag's time was good for 11th."
The 200 medley relay consisting of Preston Owen, Michael Bylander, Niemeyer and Griffin Blegen turned in a 1:37.37 that left them in ninth place. They shaved almost a full second off of their 1:37.93 seed time, but were 8/100ths of a second short of eighth place.
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The 200 free relay of Owen, Bylander, Devan Liebeg and Blegen is also advancing to the consolation round after swimming 1.13 seconds faster than their seed time which moved them from 17th to 14th.
Bylander swam a 1:59.77 that moved him up from 21st to 18th in the 200 individual medley. He swam 4/100ths of a second faster than his seed time in the 100 breaststroke, but dropped from 13th to 23rd.
Owen moved up from 25th to 23rd in the 100 backstroke with a 54.61 that was almost eight-tenths of a second faster than his 55.39 seed time.
"Everybody swam faster and we were pleased with that," said Zemke. "It was a solid night and we were happy with the performances. Everybody will be in the water (Saturday) and the 200 medley relay is three-tenths of a second off the school record and we hope to break it (Saturday)."
Class 2A prelims
200 medley relay: 1-Minnetonka 1:33.41, 9-Brainerd (Preston Owen, Michael Bylander, Gunnar Niemeyer, Griffin Blegen) 1:37.37
200 individual medley: 1-JohnThomas Larson (Minnesota Online) 1:46.89, 18(t)-Bylander 1:59.77
100 butterfly: 1-Joshua Withers (Eden Prairie) 49.14, 21-Niemeyer 52.72
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200 freestyle relay: 1-Eden Prairie 1:23.50, 14-Brainerd (Owen, Bylander, Devan Liebeg, Blegen) 1:29.48
100 backstroke: 1-Jack Dahlgren (Chanhassen) 49.68, 23-Owen 54.61
100 breaststroke: 1-Corey Lau (Minnetonka) 54.92, 23-Bylander 1:00.49
Next: Brainerd in Class 2A finals Saturday at University of Minnesota Aquatic Center.
