Grand Rapids, Hibbing, Brainerd swimmers in medal position ahead of state

MINNEAPOLIS — Several Northern Minnesota swimmers are medal contenders at the state meet Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 26-28, at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Hibbing senior Wylie Stenson is the favorite in the 100 Yard Freestyle, based on the Minnesota State High School League seed times.

Stenson is also seeded fifth in the 100 Yard Backstroke, and the Hibbing 200 Yard Medley and 200 Yard Freestyle relays are seeded third.

Grand Rapids’ 200 Yard Medley Relay has the second-fastest seed time in Class A. Junior Zak Vidmar and sophomore Jake Brunn are also seeded in the top eight, Vidmar in the 100 Yard Breaststroke and Brunn in the 100 Yard Butterfly.

Brainerd freshman Bennett Day also has a chance at a medal in 2A, with the fourth-fastest seed time in the 100 Yard Freestyle.

The top eight medal in each event at the state meet. Swimmers from Detroit Lakes, Mesabi East and Proctor are seeded just outside that margin, meaning they still have a good shot at making the podium.

In all, the Northland will have 49 entries at state, with Bemidji, International Falls, Rock Ridge and Park Rapids also represented.

Diving preliminaries are set for Thursday. Swimming preliminaries begin Friday, and swimming and diving finals are Saturday.

Full coverage of the meet will be streamed by NSPN; a subscription is required to watch.

Additional details, including a full schedule and ticket information, are available in the MSHSL’s spectator guide.