MINNEAPOLIS — The Brainerd Warriors' season ended one day earlier than expected.
Neither the Warriors' 200-yard medley relay nor Nathan Chausse in the 100 backstroke advanced to Saturday's finals following the Class 2A state qualifiers held Friday, March 1, at the University of Minnesota.
Brainard's 200-yard medley relay team of Nathan Chausse, Brenden Bryhaczek, Drew Haglin and Atreyu Marcelo finished 19th in 1:39.23, missing out on a spot in Saturday's final.
Bill Johnson / Picture Day Pro!
“We had some good splits,” Warriors head coach John Zemke said. “Our breaststrokers had season bests by about six-tenths of a second. Not everyone was hitting tonight and we ended up 0.01 slower and not fast enough to advance. did.”
The top eight teams advanced to the championship finals. Friday's top time was 1:31.59 from Lakeville South.
9th to 16th place advanced to Saturday's repechage. Woodbury recorded the 16th fastest time at 1:38.9.
Brainerd's relay placed fourth at the Section 8-2A meet in 1:39.17, qualifying for state.
On Friday, Chausse opened the backstroke with a score of 25.07, followed by Bryhacek's breaststroke with a score of 27.42. Haglin swam the fly in 24.12 seconds and Marcelo finished the freestyle with a time of 22.62 seconds.
“I was hoping to run a time in the 1:38 range, so that might have been a chance to advance, but that didn't happen,” Zemke said. “That happens sometimes in swimming.”
Brainerd's only individual swimmer was Chausse in the 100 backstroke. The junior finished the season with a score of 55.12 for 26th place.
Bill Johnson / Picture Day Pro!
Chaussee qualified for state by placing fifth at the sectional meet with a score of 54.27.
“His first 75 yards looked good,” Zemke said. “He was at the front of the pack, but had a bad run in the third corner and just finished late. His splits in the relay were decent. Solid. You were right about that, but the last 20 yards were missing.
“There are a lot of people here who are good swimmers, and sometimes things like that happen.”
200 meter medley relay: 1-Lakeville South 1:31.59, 8-Chanhassen-Chaska 1:36.25, 16-Woodbury 1:38.9, 19-Brainard (Nathan Chaucey, Brenden Bryczacek, Drew Haglin, Atreyu Marcelo) 1:39.23
100 Backstroke: 1-Ethan Cossin (Prior Lake) 48.9, 8-Grady Evenson (Lakeville South) 52.13, 16-Deidrick Wolicek (Elk River) 53.42, 26-Shosse 55.12
Next: Brainerd in the Class 2A state swimming and diving finals at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis on Saturday, March 2 at 6 p.m.
JEREMY MILLSOP can be reached at 218-855-5856 or jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jeremymillsop.
He has covered the Brainerd Lakes area sports scene for the past 23 years.
