Pirates capture swimming sectional in unique fashion

By Murray Gleffe

Correspondent

ASHWAUBENON – The Bay Port girls’ swimming team didn’t win a single individual or team relay event at the WIAA Division 1 Ashwaubenon Sectional March 30 at the Ashwaubenon Community Pool.

It didn’t matter, as the Pirates gathered enough second- and third-place finishes to win the sectional by 11 points over runner-up Appleton North.

“Our depth showed through tonight,” said Bay Port head coach Meghan Wood. “In the grand running total, we were strong in every event. It worked out in our favor, which is awesome.”

Sydney Aird finished runner-up in the 100-yard breaststroke and was part of the 200-yard medley relay, which finished second.

“Sydney had her best swim in the relay this season,” said Wood. “Also, her breaststroke swim was fantastic. I believe it was a school record. From where we started the season, to now, the girls stepped up in this meet.”

Ashwaubenon’s Sienna Nitke captured the 100- and 200-freestyle races, while Hallory Domnick continued her dominance in the 500 freestyle, winning by 17 seconds.

“Sienna kicked it into another gear tonight,” said Ashwaubenon head coach Kari Kleczka. “We had some great efforts and results tonight at our pool.”

Nitke and Domnick were also a part of the 200-freestyle relay team, which edged out Sturgeon Bay in victory.

“I was focused on swimming a solid race and putting up a good time for state,” said Domnick. “The 200 freestyle was the highlight for me because nothing was more exciting than breaking the pool record with my teammates.”

In other local finishes, Green Bay United’s Brigitta Neverman, a Division I recruit to Illinois, won the 100 butterfly and 200 individual medley.

Green Bay United's Brigitta Neverman. Murray Gleffe Photo

With the way they won the sectional, the Pirates will have to see how many additional qualifiers they’ll receive heading into the WIAA state meet April 6 at the Waukesha South Natatorium.

“These girls have been a dream to coach,” Wood said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better group. Given the alternate sectional appeal with 10 teams, we feel we have a good chance to get multiple swimmers to state. It will all come down to times – fingers crossed.”

Team totals

1, Bay Port, 349; 2, Appleton North, 338; 3, Ashwaubenon, 253.

WIAA Ashwaubenon Sectional top results 

200 medley relay

2, BP, 1:50.68 (Tooley, Aird, Geurts, Peot).

200 freestyle

1, Nitke, ASH, 1:54.55; 2, Calaway, BP, 2:00.77.

200 individual medley

1, Neverman, GBU, 2:05.16.

50 freestyle

2, Geurts, BP, 24.72.

100 butterfly

1, Neverman, GBU, 55:97; 2, Domnick, ASH, 56:54.

100 freestyle

1, Nitke, ASH, 51.50.

500 freestyle

1, Domnick, ASH, 5:03.48; 2 Calaway, BP, 5:20.26.

200 freestyle relay

1, ASH, 1:40.84 (Nitke, Selissen, Popp, Domnick).

100 backstroke

2, Sieber, GBU, 59.65.

100 breaststroke

2, Aird, BP, 1:05.17.

400 freestyle relay

2, ASH, 3:37.38 (Nitke, Witt, Popp, Domnick).