Washington High School competed in seven events at the MSHSAA Class 1 Girls State Swimming Championships on Friday and Saturday, February 17 and 18, at the Rec Plex in St. Peters.
The Lady Jays earned medalist honors in two events, giving the program its first ever state medals.
“Our accomplishments at state were a joyous way to end the season,” said Washington Head Coach Tracy Moreland. “Our team will celebrate the graduation of five seniors, including a member of our seventh-place medley relay, Ellie Williams, in May. Fortunately, we will retain a talented group of ladies and add some seasoned freshman to the team.”
Ava Kauffeld won two state medals to lead Washington at the state meet. She finished in third place in the 100 Breaststoke in a time of 1:08.14. She also was third in the preliminaries in 1:07.53.
In the 200 Medley Relay, Kauffeld, Maddy Henderson, Zoey Ziegler and Ellie Williams placed seventh in a time of 1:56.79 to earn all-state honors. The team also was seventh in the preliminaries in a school record time of 1:55.75.
In the consolation races, Kauffeld placed 12th in the 200 Individual Medley in 2:15.58 and Ziegler was 14th in the 100 Backstroke in 1:03.82. Kauffeld also was 12th in the prelims in a school record time of 2:15.19. Ziegler also was 14th in the prelims in a school record time of 1:03.18.
Also competing for the Lady Jays at the state meet, and not reaching the championship or consolation finals, were Ziegler in the 100 Freestyle (27th in the preliminaries in 58.40), the 200 Freestyle Relay of Dayton Griesheimer, Mia Mahon, Henderson and Williams (31st in the prelims in 1:52.28) and the 400 Freestyle Relay of Ziegler, Henderson, Williams and Kauffeld (20th in the prelims in 3:58.74).
Washington finished 15th in the Class 2 team standings with 48 points.
Photos of Washington swimmers at the state meet are below. Medalist pictures are courtesy of Carrie Kauffeld.
WHS State Qualifiers
Pictured are Washington High School swimmers who competed at the MSHSAA Class 1 Girls State Swimming Championships at the Rec Plex in St. Peters. From left are Dayton Griesheimer, Mia Mahon, Zoey Ziegler, Ava Kauffeld, Maddy Henderson and Ellie Williams.
All-State 200 Medley Relay
Washington High School’s 200 Medley Relay finished seventh in the championship finals in a time of 1:56.79 to earn all-state honors at the MSHSAA Class 1 Girls State Swimming Championships. The Lady Jays broke the school record in the preliminaries with a time of 1:55.75. From left are Ellie Williams, Maddy Henderson, Ava Kauffeld and Zoey Ziegler.
Ava Kauffeld All-State
Washington’s Ava Kauffeld earned all-state honors in the 100 Breaststroke by finishing in third place in a time of 1:08.14 during the MSHSAA Class 1 Girls State Swimming Championships. She also was third in the preliminaries in 1:07.53.
Ava Kauffeld All-State
Washington’s Ava Kauffeld earned all-state honors in the 100 Breaststroke by finishing in third place in a time of 1:08.14 during the MSHSAA Class 1 Girls State Swimming Championships. She also was third in the preliminaries in 1:07.53.
