For the first time in the history of the program, the Washington High School girls swimming team captured top honors the Gateway Athletic Conference North-Central Division Championships.
Competing at the St. Peters Rec-Plex on Wednesday, February 7, the Lady Jays topped the team standings with 417 points, 99 points ahead of the rest of the field to claim the GAC North-Central (combined North Division and Central Division schools) Division championship.
“These ladies are amazing. I am so very proud of them and all they’ve been able to accomplish so far this season,” said Washington Head Coach Tracy Moreland. “Our team is made up of ladies who set goals and worked hard to achieve them. Some are new to the sport and some have been competing for years before high school. They all came together to contribute to our team's success.”
The top four finishers in each event earned conference medalist honors.
Ava Kauffeld became a three-time GAC champion in the 100 breastroke, winning in a season’s best time of 1:08.98. She also placed second in the 200 individual medley in 2:18.42.
Zoey Ziegler became a three-time GAC champion in the 100 backstroke, winning in a school record time of 1:02.66. She also placed second in the 100 freestyle in 55.44.
Maddy Henderson won the 100 butterfly in a new personal record time of 1:06.56.
The 200 freestyle relay team of Zoey Ziegler, Maddy Henderson, Ava Kauffeld and Brooke Schoonover became three-time GAC champions with a season’s best time of 1:48.16.
Ziegler, Henderson, Kauffeld and Schoonover also won the 200 medley relay in a season’s best time of 1:57.67.
Brooke Schoonover placed second in the 100 backstroke in 1:09.08.
The 400 freestyle relay team of Maddy Henderson, Mia Mahon, Dayton Griesheimer and Olivia Mahon placed second in 4:16.77.
Mia Mahon placed third in the 200 butterfly in a time of 1:12.74. She also placed third in the 200 individual medley with a season’s best time of 2:34.35.
Dayton Griesheimer placed third in the 500 freestyle with a time of 6:15.81. She also placed third in the 200 freestyle in 2:20.64.
Hannah Schneider placed fourth in the 500 freestyle in a season’s best time of 6:52.97. She also placed fourth in the 200 freestyle in a season’s best time of 2:30.46.
Brooke Schoonover placed fourth in the 100 freestyle in a season’s best time of 1:01.91.
Ava Stone placed fourth in the 100 breaststroke in a season’s best time of 1:22.91.
Seniors on the team are Mia Mahon, Zoey Ziegler, Ava Kauffeld, Maddy Henderson and managers Meredith Duncan and Donovan McKenzie.
Other swimmers on the Washington roster are juniors Anna Bade, Rylie Gammon and Caroline Guinn, sophomores Dayton Griesheimer and Ava Stone, and freshmen Kate Eckelkamp, Olivia Mahon, Tatum Reubell, Hannah Schneider and Brooke Schoonover.
The Lady Jays are coached by Tracy Moreland and Bob Sander.
“It has been a progressive four years for the seniors. Freshman year was rough for these ladies with COVID. They had to leave some things undone. But they battled back and have just gotten better and accomplished more each year since,” Moreland said. “Winning the conference was a wonderful testimony to all their perseverance and hard work throughout their high school swimming careers.”
Washington will compete in several events during the MSHSAA Class 1 Swimming Championships Thursday and Friday, February 15 and 16, at the St. Peters Rec-Plex.
Washington Lady Jays - 2024 GAC North Central Division Swimming Champions
(Washington Missourian Photo).
