craigdailypress.com

There weren't any spectacular performances during the opening weekend for the Moffat County High School swim team, but nobody expected that would happen at the beginning of the season.

"We had girls swimming in off events," senior Sari Maneotis said. "I didn't swim that great, but things will come along."

The Bulldogs had two meets during the weekend. Both were at Orchard Mesa Aquatic Center in Grand Junction with a triangular meet Friday and a relay meet Saturday.

The Bulldogs took second in the triangular, ahead of Aspen and behind Fruita Monument. They had 12 top-five finishes; including first place swims by freshman Kelsey Conci in the 50- and 200-meter freestyles, sophomore Vanessa Murray in the 100-meter freestyle and the team of Conci, Maneotis, junior Katie Gainor and freshman Caitlin Conci in the 400 freestyle.

Other top-five finishers were: Murray in the 50 freestyle, fifth; Gainor in the 100 breaststroke, third; Maneotis in the 500 freestyle, second; Caitlin Conci in the 100 backstroke and the 100 butterfly, second and third respectively; freshman Clarissa Dilldine in the 200 freestyle, fifth; freshman Emily Hepworth in the 200 free, third; and the 200 medley relay team of Gainor, Caitlin and Kelsey Conci and senior Ashleigh McDonald, second.

In Saturday's unscored relay meet, the Bulldogs had two top-three finishes. The 200 freestyle team of Murray, Gainor, McDonald and junior Brittnie Durham finished third.

The 200 butterfly/freestyle relay team of Gainor, Caitlin Conci, Murray and Maneotis earned the highest honors for the Bulldogs with a second-place finish. The 500 crescendo relay team of Kelsey Conci, Murray, Caitlin Conci and Maneotis was also in the top five.

"I thought things were OK for our first two meets," coach Jennifer Zimmerman said. "We have some stroke technique to work on before our next meet."

The relay meet gave Zimmerman her first glance at the Western Slope League in her first year.

"There are some great teams out there," she said. "I think if we come along we will put some good competition up."

The Bulldogs host their only home swim meet of the season Saturday.

They will start at 9:30 a.m. in a triangular meet against Central of Grand Junction and Aspen.