Lady Mules Swim takes 2nd at SEMO Conference

The Poplar Bluff High School Lady Mules swim team kicked it into high gear at this year’s SEMO Conference Swim

The Lady Mules took on some stiff competition inside the pool on Wednesday as they battled against Cape Central, Farmingiotn, Notre Dame, Saxony Lutheran and Jackson for a chance to bring home some hardware.

While the Lady Mules took great strides in their individual scores, they thrived even better as a cohesive unit and walked away with second place with a team score of 417.

Head swim coach Beth Lewis said the Lady Mules continue to amaze her with the progress they’ve made throughout the season. No person could’ve predicted that this young swim squad would make such an impact, but Lewis credits the team for their hard work and willingness to compete at every meet.

“The girls did amazing,” Lewis said. “The ultimate goal is to go in and win each meet, but to place second to a team who is great and state-ranked such as Cape says something about this group of girls. So many are first and second-year swimmers, and to bring home so many All-Conference honors says something about this group and I’m truly proud to be their coach.”

Lewis said it’s not easy cramming in all the skills training and teaching the proper mechanics for swimming into three mouths. Normally, it takes about 7-10 years to grasp the skills of swimming, but Lewis said the Lady Mules are true athletes and are hard workers. She said they are tough and willing to do what it takes to make themselves better for their team’s success.

The Lady Mules will set their sights on the postseason as they gear up to participate in the Class 1 District 1 Tournament on Friday in St. Louis.

TEAM SCORES

Cape Central 559

Poplar Bluff 417

Jackson 317

Notre Dame 261

Farmington 176

Saxony Lutheran 39

INDIVIDUAL SCORES

3rd 200 Medley Relay: Balz, Richardson, Moore, Gibbs

9th 200 Freestyle: Gracie Brown

5th 200 Freestyle: Kate Scott

8th 200 IM: Reece Prenger

6th 200 IM: Maclaren Moore

7th 50 Freestyle: Gabbie Balz

6th 50 Freestyle: Kinsley Gibbs

3rd 50 Freestyle: Keira Willis

8th 100 Butterfly: Reece Prenger

5th 100 Butterfly: Keira Willis

3rd 100 Butterfly: Maclaren Moore

9th 100 Freestyle: Kinsley Gibbs

6th 100 Freestyle: Kate Scott

5th 100 Freestyle: Lily Gregory

10th 500 Freestyle: Delyla Barnum

9th 500 Freestyle: Rebecca Stevens

8th 500 Freestyle: Gabbie Balz

2nd 200 Freestyle Relay: Willis, Gibbs, Scott, Gregory

10th 100 Backstroke: Rebecca Stevens

8th 100 Backstroke: Gracie Brown

4th 100 Backstroke: Lily Gregory

9th 100 Breaststroke: Samiya Anders

5th 100 Breaststroke: Savannah Hanner

4th 100 Breaststroke: Ava Richardson

3rd 400 Freestyle Relay: Willis, Moore, Scott, Gregory

1st-8th Place= All-Conference

9th-10th Place= Honorable Mention