craigdailypress.com

Flying high after last week's home meet win - its first of the season - the Bulldog swimming team was brought back down to earth Saturday in Gunnison.

Moffat County placed fifth in the five-team event.

"We didn't place very well as a team," MCHS coach Meghan Francone said. "But, right now, we're trying to go after more individual, personal-best kind of goals. It's really hard to win a meet with eight girls."

With three meets left before the state regional tournament, the focus has shifted toward achieving postseason qualifying times.

Steamboat Springs resident Genna Bradley is the lone Bulldog qualifier this season.

Although Bradley is one of the top-ranked divers in the state, the Bulldogs are looking to add a few more competitors to the bus leaving MCHS in late February.

The 200-yard medley relay team is the closest to moving on.

The foursome of Danielle Brockman, Emma Lichtenfels, Katherine Dodd and Mary Penner finished third Saturday, completing the eight laps required in 2:15.56 - 10 seconds off the state qualifying pace.

"I think they have the best chance of qualifying," Francone said. "They have gotten much faster and cut a lot of time so far this year. They have enough time, I think, that they can get there."

Steamboat Springs resident Emma Lichtenfels is making a case in the 50-free.

The newest addition to the squad finished sixth in the event Saturday, cutting three seconds from her time recorded last week.

Lichtenfels is more than three seconds away from the state qualify time (26.60), but Francone said anything is possible.

"Emma did really well," she said. "She's only competed twice now. If she keeps doing that (cutting three seconds), she'll be fine."

Sophomore Mary Penner is right behind her.

Penner placed seventh Saturday, finishing in 30.69.

"I think it's good that they are right there, pushing each other," Francone said. "It will only make them better."

Senior Katherine Dodd took a step back in her quest to qualify in the 500-free.

Her time of 6:38.47 earned her a third-place finish, but it was more than five seconds off her season-best set three weeks ago, and 50 seconds away from the state qualifying mark.

Notes:

Senior Cameo Wilson graduated early. Since she is no longer a student at MCHS, she had to withdraw from the team. : Bradley competed in a dive-only meet Wednesday. : Kathrine Cork withdrew from her individual events because she was sick. She competed with the 400-free and 200-free relay teams.