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7 qualify for state as Otter boys take 2nd
Published 11:26am Monday, February 25, 2013After a great first day in the pool, the Fergus Falls boys swim team finished strong as they were able to take second place as a team at the event and send seven members to the state tournament Saturday.
The Otters were runner-up to Section 5A champion Alexandria.
“I never thought that we would be deep enough to capture second place,” Otter coach Tom Uvaas said. “This is a tribute to the 16 participants who did such a fantastic job.”
The Fergus Falls divers had another impressive showing as Michael Aasness captured first place with a score of 446.05 and Reid Magnusson finished in second with 376.75 score, both qualifying for state.
Aasness was named Section 5A diver of the year, while his coach, Mike Hartwell, was named the section’s diving coach of the year.
Joe Kitzman recorded two pool records in the 100 butterfly (52.56) and the 100 backstroke (54.79) on his way to first place finishes and state berths in both events.
Cal Mouritsen was also a multiple winner with first place finishes in the 100 freestyle (:48.35) and the 200 IM (2:03.19).
The Otters also saw two relay teams pick up first place honors as the 400 freestyle relay team of Kitzman, Mouritsen Luke Raitz and Clay Danielson recorded a time of 3:22.25 and 200 Medley Relay Kitzman, Danielson, Mouritsen and Daniel Kowalski finished with a 1:42.22 time.
The Otters will now travel to the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center to compete in the state tournament beginning Thursday.
