Patriots swim to WDA title

BISMARCK – Sometimes depth is all you need. Bismarck Century proved that last weekend at the WDA girls' swim-dive championships. The Patriots won two events, but placed several swimmers and divers to earn just enough points to edge two-time defending champion Minot High for the top spot on Saturday, Nov. 3 at the Bismarck Aquatic and Wellness Center. Minot High's Sam VonBokern (50 freestyle and 100 freestyle) and Bismarck High's Madeline VerDouw (500 freestyle and 100 breaststroke) were double winners. Dickinson's Aryana Twist was named senior athlete of the year. Legacy's Thomas Wheeling was WDA coach of the year. The meet served as the final opportunity for swimmers and divers to qualify of the state championships which are Nov. 10-11 in Bismarck.

2023 WDA Championship (Bismarck Aquatic and Wellness Center)

Team totals: 1. Century, 433.5; 2. Minot High, 429; 3. Legacy, 309; 4. Dickinson, 271; 5. Williton, 223.5; 6. Mandan, 150; 7. Bismarck High, 136; 8. Jamestown, 130

Event Winners

200 Medley Relay: Minot High, 1:54.30 (Ava Williamson, Bostyn Edwards, Sam VonBokern, Gabby Olson)

200 Freestyle: Lauryn Caster, Century, 1:59.26

200 IM: A. Williamson, Minot High, 2:14.95

50 Freestyle: Sam VanBokern, Minot High, 24:55

1M Diving: Haley Conklin, Minot High, 451.50 points

100 Butterfly: Aryana Twist, Dickinson, 1:02.71

100 Freestyle: Sam VonBokern, Minot High, :57.29

500 Freestyle: Madeline VerDouw, Bismarck High, 5:26.53

200 Freestyle Relay: Bismarck Century, 1:42.85 (L. Caster, Abby Jablonsky, Sienna Mrachek, Ava Erickson)

100 Backstroke: Tova Blikre, Bismarck Legacy, 1:01.72

100 Breaststroke: M. VerDouw, Bismarck High, 1:08.91

400 Freestyle Relay: Minot High, 3:43.21 (A. Williamson, Reese Goodman, B. Edwards, Sam VonBokern)