Larsen makes State

PLEASANT HILL - Fairfield swimming has a state qualifier. In just her freshman season, Willow Larsen will represent the Trojans in the state meet after a sub-one minute Backstroke at the Regional Swimming and Diving meet, hosted by Southeast Polk High School.

The Fairfield freshman took third place in the Backstroke competition with a new school record of 59.88 seconds. That was Fairfield's top placement on the day.

Larsen finished just behind the Waukee duo of freshman Payden Rafferty (58.08) and sophomore Evan Schwickerath (58.26). The Backstroke has been Larsen's best event all year, and the one she had high hopes of taking to the big stage.

Larsen will compete in the 10th event of the state tournament, which takes place this weekend at the YMCA in Marshalltown. She will copmete in the fourth preliminary on Friday, where she will occupy the first lane.

As a team, Fairfield scored 81 points, which was seventh place out of nine. Waukee won the regional meet with 582 points.

TEAM SCOERS: 1. Waukee 582; 2. Norwalk 364; 3. Southeast Polk 312; 4. Indianola 283; 5. Des Moines East 151; 6. Pella 148; 7. Fairfield 81; 8. Newton 25; 9. Centerville 1.

FAIRFIELD FINISHERS: 200-Yard Medley: 7. Willow Larsen, Grace Sobaski, Clare Else, Anna Westphal 2:16.76. 50-Yard Freestyle: 17. Emma Clubb, 30.55; 19. Clare Else 31.49; 21. Anna Westphal 32.26. 100-Yard Freestyle: 16. Emma Clubb 1:08.07; 17. Grace Sobaski 1:08.60. 200-Yard Freestyle: 7. Grace Sobaski, Anna Westphal, Willow Larsen, Emma Club 1:95.85. 100-Yard Backstroke: 3. Willow Larsen 59.88; 19. Anna Westphal 1:29.80. 100-yard Breaststroke: 7. Willow Larsen 1:12.85; 14. Clare Else 1:23.52; 16. Grace Sobaski 1:24.56.