Meg Heveroh (9) broke numerous school records and qualified for state in her first year in the OHS swim program. For nearly the entire season, it appeared that she would be the only OHS swimmer to qualify.

Heveroh, however, did not go to state alone.

OHS swimmers Casey Landmann (12), Sarah Daues (10), Maddie Poertner (10), Allison Streb (11), Hannah Baker (12), Chloe Dedic (12), and Allison Schmitz (12) did not make the qualifying times, but they were close enough to make “consideration time” and earn a place at state. They were invited to compete in the 200 freestyle relay, 400 freestyle relay, and 200 medley relays. Streb also qualified in the 100 backstroke.

At the first meet of the season on Dec. 5 at Lindbergh High School, Heveroh qualified for state in the 100 freestyle and 200 individual medley. She’s been swimming competitively since she was about 6 years old and practices two hours every day, so her success has been no surprise.

“I’ve always done it,” Heveroh said in regards to swimming.

Heveroh beat the school records for the 100 freestyle and 100 breastroke with her times of 54.49 seconds and 1 minute, 11.93 seconds, respectively. Streb, Poertner, Landmann, and Heveroh beat the previous school record for the 200 medley relay with a time of 1:59.31. Streb’s time of 1:02.52 in the 100 back also set a new school record.

The girls competed in the state meet at the St. Peters RecPlex, Feb. 16-17.

In the preliminary round for the 100 yard freestyle, Heveroh placed 12th with a time of 54.51. In the championship final, Heveroh improved her time to 54.27 and moved up to 11th place, earning her six points for OHS. The other girls did not qualify for the finals.

“State was lots of fun, there was lots of really fast girls there,” Heveroh said. “I liked being in the finals because it was exciting to make it that far.”

OHS head coach Liska Hromnak was very pleased with her team’s success.

“This team is special because they are very supportive of everyone,” Coach Hromnak said. “The individual swimmers often put aside their own personal goals to swim events beneficial to the team’s success.”