Mules take third at Rec Center Relays

The Poplar Bluff Mules girls swimming and diving team continues to find its flow in the pool this season.

After falling to West Plains on senior day, the Lady Mules bounced back by placing third Thursday in the 2024 Girls Rec Center Relays swim meet at the SEMO Aquatic Center.

The Lady Mules competed against Cape Central, Jackson, Notre Dame and Farmington for a shot at the gold, but also worked toward breaking their personal records. Head swim coach Beth Lewis said the Rec Center Relays was a good event overall and that the Lady Mules accomplished some significant goals.

“The meet was exciting,” Lewis said. “We truly needed a meet like this to get them motivated for this last month’s push of the season. The girls were in great spirits and were out there supporting each other while having tons of fun. They all raced so hard.”

“The icing on the cake was having them go after their personal records and getting them,” Lewis continued. “Overall, it was a great day for us.”

The Lady Mules are currently 7-3 on the season, and Lewis said the team is closer than ever. After adding some new swimmers to their roster, Lewis said the more experienced swimmers have stepped up tremendously by helping out the newcomers with the proper mechanics of being a swimmer.

Though the beginning of the season was rocky for the Lady Mules, Lewis said the team has truly found their footing as they prepare to finish off the rest of the season on a high note.

“This is what this program is about,” Lewis said. “We’re constantly learning, improving, and going out there and performing our best during every meet. They have really come together as a team and us coaches could not be more proud of them.”

Cape Central finished first, Jackson came in second, Notre Dame in fourth, while Farmington took fifth.

__Top 3 finishes__

200 medley relay: Gabriell Balz, Savannah Hanner, Keira Willis, Kinsley Gibbs, 1st; 200 freestyle relay: Willis, Gibbs, Katherine Scott, Lily Gregory (CSC), 3rd; 3x200 IM: Willis, Reece Prenger, Gracie Brown, 3rd; 400 medley relay: Gregory, Ava Richardson, Maclaren Moore, Scott, 3rd; 400 freestyle relay: Brown, Gibbs, Moore, Scott (CSC), 3rd; breaststroke relay: Richardson, Hanner, Brown.

__Heat winners__

200 medley relay: Lola Lane, Prenger, Addison Shell, Rebecca Stevens; 400 freestyle Relay: Hollie Long, Rhyan Waddell, Delyla Barnum, Addison Hutson; 400 medley relay: Lane, Zoie McCormick, Shell, Samiya Anders; 200 freestyle relay: Balz, Lauren Collier, Aaryn Johnson, Hutson.