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FF boys win Otter Invite
Published 10:19am Monday, December 10, 2012The Fergus Falls boys swimming and diving team could not have put out a better performance this past weekend as they were able to edge Detroit Lakes for first at their home invitational and saw diver Michael Aasness break the school’s diving score record.
Aasness’ 288.30 score broke a 31 year old school record of 275.50, set by Mike Schullenberg in 1981.
“His mental focus and strength training have prepared him for this day,” Otter diving coach Mike Hartwell said. “Michael is now diving at a level few high school athletes in diving ever achieve. I always tell the boys to leave a legacy. What better legacy to leave — breaking a 31 year old school record.”
Fergus also saw six other first place finishes and two runner-up honors at the meet.
Joe Kitzman captured two first place finishes in 200 freestyle (1:52.96) and 100 backstroke (59.07), while teammate Cal Mouritsen was also a double winner in the 100 freestyle (50.99) and the 100 breaststroke (1:05.99).
The two swimmers were also members of winning relay teams that included (1:42.99) Daniel Kowalski and Clay Danielson. The team won both the 200 medley relay (1:42.99) and the 200 freestyle relay (1:35.80).
Conner Hatfield (100 backstroke, 1:05.74) and Reid Magnusson (diving, 236.60) took runner-up for the Otters.
Fergus also had several swimmers finish in third including Kowalski in the 100 breaststroke (1:10.65), Danielson in the 100 butterfly (1:01.99), Luke Raitz in the 100 IM (1:09.11) and Jesse Ugstad in the 50 backstroke (39.45).
” This was really a fun Otter Invitational, because we had so many ‘new’ swimmers and divers,” Otter coach Tom Uvaas said. “This was like an early Christmas gift exchange; lots of surprises and gifts.”
The Otters will be back in the pool Thursday evening as they host Rocori in a 6 p.m. Central Lakes Conference dual.
