Shelby’s 200 free relay reaches state podium
CANTON — Shelby posted its best finish ever at the state swim meet Thursday with a 15th-place showing during the Division II girls competition at the C.T. Branin Natatorium on the campus of Canton Mckinley High School.
Their 40 points were also a best at the state swim meet. A year ago, the Lady Whippets were 40th with 10.
The highlight of the evening for SHS was a sixth-place showing and a school record in the 200 freestyle relay with a clocking of 1:39.75. That also earned them a spot on the podium.
The foursome of Kassie Stine, Reyna Hoffman, Riley Lewis and Elli Mayer set a team mark in the event less than a week ago with a 1:40.40 effort at the district meet.
“Being in that fast heat and getting a medal was their biggest motivation,” noted Shelby coach Troy
Chipka of the performance he witnessed in the relay.
The same four also competed for the Whippets in the 400-meter freestyle and they were 11th with a time of 3:43.33.
Hoffman and Stine also battled in a pair of individual events.
Hoffman placed 15th in the 100 backstroke with 1:00.24 and was 19th in the 200 individual medley with 2:14.16.
Stine, the lone senior in the group, was 16th in the 100 freestyle with 54.81 and 20th in the 50 freestyle with 24.74.
“Everyone did exceptionally well. If we didn’t PR, then we weren’t far off our best times,” said Chipka. “It was an honor to coach Kassie all four of her state-qualifying years. I literally don’t know what it’s like to not have her on the team.”