Last weekend, February 25 & 26, the Boys’ Swim and Dive team participated in the Section 8AA meet in Alexandria. Prelims were on Friday and Finals were on Saturday. The Buffalo team sent 5 athletes to state including: David Zaske, Blake Solberg, JD O’Donnell, Jack Elliott, and Max Ransom. First and Second place automatically qualify for state, unless they achieved the state cut time.
“I think that it is really cool that we made it this far,” said Junior JD O’Donnell. “We said at the beginning of the year that we were going to make it to state and we all worked really hard as a relay team and came out 2nd in the end. It was a very successful race.”
Max Ransom, David Zaske, Blake Solberg, and JD O’Donnell were all part of the 200 yard medley relay that swam a time of 1:42.89. They placed second against Brainerd who had a time of 1:42.72.
David Zaske swam a time of 2:05.54 and placed second in the 200 yard IM. He dropped over 4 seconds from Friday where he swam a time of 2:09.04. He lost to Elk River’s Aaron Schwab that swam a time of 2:02.52.
“I was so pumped that our 200 yard medley relay made it to state; that is what kept me going while I was racing the 200 IM,” said Senior David Zaske. “As soon as I got in the water I swam as hard as I could and I got second in the IM when I was seeded 4th. It was a major accomplishment for me. The feeling was so strong in my whole body that I was speechless. This feeling felt like no other.”
Not only did the Buffalo team send swimmers to state but they also sent Diver Blake Solberg. He placed second in this event with a score of 418.80. Alexandria’s Senior Aaron Rooney won the event with a score of 469.15.
“Diving felt really good. I was pumped that I got second,” said Senior Blake Solberg. “Last year going to state was more exciting, but I advanced from 4th place to 2nd so that was a big accomplishment for me.”
The second half of the meet went very well. Buffalo sent Sophomore Jack Elliott to state in the 500 freestyle where he swam a time of 4:58.94. He placed second in this event.
“After I looked up at the score board and saw second place, it was a relief,” said Sophomore Jack Elliott. “I didn’t even feel tired from my event and I was just so happy that I had made it.”
He also did very well in the 100 butterfly where he swam a time of 55.73. He got 3rd in this event, just fell short of the state mark.
In the 100 backstroke, Sophomore Connor Mann placed 6th with a time of 1:00.03. Junior Max Ransom placed 8th in this event with a time of 1:00.99. It was a close race between those two, but they both placed in the final medal round.
The last event that went to state was the 100 Breaststroke. Senior David Zaske placed second in this event with a time of 1:01.96. He just fell short of first and lost to Brainerd’s Brady Watson. Again, this was another close race.
“This race was the one I wanted to go to state in the most,” said Senior David Zaske. “I knew how close I was to Brady Watson and I knew I had competition. Even though I fell short I look forward to racing him and having a second shot at state.”
The 5 Athletes that advanced to state will be participating down at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center March 3-5. Stay tuned for the results of the Minnesota State meet.
