Frauenfelder leads strong effort for Holy Family at 3A state meet
Freshman finishes second in 100 freestyle
THORNTON >> The new year brought a surprise season for Holy Family swimming to a storybook ending on Saturday night.
For head coach Mary Whitney, a fifth-place team finish at the Class 3A state meet at the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center was a result even she didn’t think was possible at the start of the day.
“I honestly didn’t even think we would make the top 10,” an incredibly proud Whitney said. “At the beginning of the season, the season stats did not seem to fall that way. All credit goes to the girls who rallied and came through. This top-five finish is super exciting and very unexpected, honestly.”
Expected or not, Whitney has a young team that she hopes can surpass her new expectations for them in the coming seasons.
“This is a growing year for us,” Whitney said. “Watching the heart that these girls put into this pool was something else. I don’t know how they will top it, but I know they will next year. It’s just incredible to watch them race every single time, no matter the stroke, no matter the actual race.”
The Tigers finished a full 89 points ahead of sixthplace Liberty Common, scoring 282 points. Freshman Lorelai Frauenfelder propelled the Tigers by placing top-four in both of her individual events, including a silver in the 100-yard freestyle. She also finished well in the 200 individual medley and helped a couple of strong HFHS relays.
Frauenfelder dropped her times in both races, including a 3-second drop in the 200 IM, finishing with a time of 2 minutes, 7.98 seconds. Her 100 free was a sight to behold, battling Julia Thomas of Discovery Canyon until the bitter end. Frauenfelder’s kick could only get her so close as she finished just fourhundredths of a second behind winner Thomas (52.13 to 52.09).
“I’m so happy,” an excited Frauenfelder said after the meet. “I haven’t been able to drop like that in a really long time. It was great to be able to lower my PRS.”
The Tigers’ team finish was not all on Frauenfelder’s shoulders. Her teammates Catherine Chapman and Ivy Wood had successful days in the pool to add to Holy Family’s score.
Chapman, along with Wood, Frauenfelder, and Erin Chapman, combined to open the meet strong in the 200 medley relay — they finished fourth with a time of 1:52.17. Individually, Catherine Chapman placed fifth, behind her teammate Frauenfelder, in the 200 IM (2:14.28) and also was fourth in the 100 backstroke (59.75).
With a time of 3:47.33 and a fifth-place finish in the 400 free relay, the team of Chapman, Wood, Frauenfelder, and senior Summer Norwell ended a strong day for the Tigers.
“They did amazing,” Frauenfelder said about her teammates. “I’m so proud of all of them. Even the people who didn’t make state, I’m just so proud. They finished out the season strong so I’m just so proud of everyone.”
With this year in the books for Frauenfelder and the Tigers, next season offers a chance to further their development and keep their eye on snatching the top places on the podium next winter.
“I really want to get first and at least one race next season,” Frauenfelder said. “That would be amazing. I just want to keep getting better and supporting my team.”