New Richmond, Somerset swimmers compete in state, national meets

• Local swimmers

Walter DeKock, Stephanie LeMire and Audrey DeKock (l-r) competed in the Minnesota State Short Course Swim Championships at the University of Minnesota.

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Audrey and Walter DeKock from New Richmond and Stephanie LeMire from Somerset competed at the Minnesota State Short Course Swim Championships in March. The meet was held at the University of Minnesota Natatorium.

They were representing St. Croix Swim Club, coached by Olga Espinosa, who competed in the 1992 and 1996 Olympics.

This is an open state meet where all ages can participate including several Division I athletes from the University of Minnesota.

Audrey DeKock, 15, swam in four relays and seven individual events, finishing 26th in the 200 yard butterfly, 41st in the 400 yard IM, 42nd in the 100 yard fly, 43rd in the 100 yard IM, 44thin the 100 yard breaststroke, and 54th in the 200 yard IM.

Walter DeKock, a senior at New Richmond High School, competed in four relays and swam four personal best times in the 50 yard freestyle, 100 yard freestyle, 200 yard freestyle and 100 yard breaststroke. He plans on attending the University of Wisconsin Madison in the fall.

LeMire, 16, swam in two relays, both of them placing second, as well as placing fourth in both the 100 yard breaststroke and 100 yard Individual Medley. She swam a lighter load at the state meet to prepare for the NCSA Junior National swim meet held in Orlando, Fla., the following week.

While competing in Florida, their 200 yard medley relay stood on the podium for a seventh place finish where LeMire swam the sixth fastest breaststroke split of the meet. Their 400 yard medley relay placed ninth. LeMire qualified for finals in all three of her individual events and swam personal best times. She placed 28th in the 50 yard breast and 23rd in both the 100 yard and 200 yard breaststrokes. More than 1,500 swimmers competed in the national meet.

Tags: sports, swimmers, health, prep