MONROE - It was difficult for an injured Grace Keith to sit and watch her teammates last year.
A dislocated knee robbed her of her freshman season on the Monroe-New Glarus swimming team.
The sophomore swimmer is back in the pool and she showcased her ability by having a hand in winning three events in a season-opening dual meet against Platteville on Saturday at the Green County YMCA. Monroe-New Glarus dominated the meet, winning all 11 races and sweeping the top two spots in three events to roll to a 104-59 win.
"Not being here last year was really hard, especially since swimming is my only sport," Keith said.
Keith won the 400-meter freestyle in a time of 5 minutes, 15.46 seconds. She teamed with sophomore Maddie Hammer, senior Abby Oudinot and junior Skylar Lassen to win the 200 medley relay (2:12.73). Keith teamed with senior Anna Wolf, Anna Meritt and Lassen to finish first in the 400 freestyle relay (4:34.76).
Keith welcomes the challenge of being a long-distance swimmer.
"It's obviously new territory for me," she said. "I would be happy to do it. I'm excited."
Monroe-New Glarus coach Linda Moser is excited to have an experienced swimmer like Keith back.
"It's great to have Grace back not just because of her swimming ability, but her work ethic and her sense of humor. She helps other girls work harder because she has a great work ethic."
Hammer won the 200 freestyle (2:26.64) and the 100 breaststroke (1:24.25). Wolf won the 200 individual medley (2:48.98) and the 100 butterfly (1:14.42).
Moser expects the win to help her swimmers build confidence.
"It's a great way to start the season," Moser said. "I can't think of a better team to start with than Platteville whether you are in a building year or not. This win gives them the positivity to go into the season. It makes them realize they can do it."
Lassen won the 100 freestyle (1:05.34) and the 100 backstroke (1:14.30). Lassen's best time in the 100 backstroke (1:10) is just about five seconds away from the school record.
"My personal goal is to drop time whenever I can," Lassen said. "It felt fast. By the time I graduate, I hope to have one of the records on the board for the 100 backstroke or 100 freestyle. This could be one of the best years."
Oudinot won the 50 freestyle (29.73) and placed second in the 100 freestyle (1:08.98).
Meritt teamed with Wolf, Oudinot and Hammer to win the 200 freestyle relay (2:02.83). The Cheesemakers also took second place with a team of freshman Savannah Brandt, sophomore Samantha Ellefson, senior Grace Moehn and freshman Emily Meritt posting a time of 2:14.96.
Lassen enjoyed seeing the hard work swimmers put in pay off in the season opener.
"We have been working really hard the last two weeks," Lassen said. "I think we earned it."
A dislocated knee robbed her of her freshman season on the Monroe-New Glarus swimming team.
The sophomore swimmer is back in the pool and she showcased her ability by having a hand in winning three events in a season-opening dual meet against Platteville on Saturday at the Green County YMCA. Monroe-New Glarus dominated the meet, winning all 11 races and sweeping the top two spots in three events to roll to a 104-59 win.
"Not being here last year was really hard, especially since swimming is my only sport," Keith said.
Keith won the 400-meter freestyle in a time of 5 minutes, 15.46 seconds. She teamed with sophomore Maddie Hammer, senior Abby Oudinot and junior Skylar Lassen to win the 200 medley relay (2:12.73). Keith teamed with senior Anna Wolf, Anna Meritt and Lassen to finish first in the 400 freestyle relay (4:34.76).
Keith welcomes the challenge of being a long-distance swimmer.
"It's obviously new territory for me," she said. "I would be happy to do it. I'm excited."
Monroe-New Glarus coach Linda Moser is excited to have an experienced swimmer like Keith back.
"It's great to have Grace back not just because of her swimming ability, but her work ethic and her sense of humor. She helps other girls work harder because she has a great work ethic."
Hammer won the 200 freestyle (2:26.64) and the 100 breaststroke (1:24.25). Wolf won the 200 individual medley (2:48.98) and the 100 butterfly (1:14.42).
Moser expects the win to help her swimmers build confidence.
"It's a great way to start the season," Moser said. "I can't think of a better team to start with than Platteville whether you are in a building year or not. This win gives them the positivity to go into the season. It makes them realize they can do it."
Lassen won the 100 freestyle (1:05.34) and the 100 backstroke (1:14.30). Lassen's best time in the 100 backstroke (1:10) is just about five seconds away from the school record.
"My personal goal is to drop time whenever I can," Lassen said. "It felt fast. By the time I graduate, I hope to have one of the records on the board for the 100 backstroke or 100 freestyle. This could be one of the best years."
Oudinot won the 50 freestyle (29.73) and placed second in the 100 freestyle (1:08.98).
Meritt teamed with Wolf, Oudinot and Hammer to win the 200 freestyle relay (2:02.83). The Cheesemakers also took second place with a team of freshman Savannah Brandt, sophomore Samantha Ellefson, senior Grace Moehn and freshman Emily Meritt posting a time of 2:14.96.
Lassen enjoyed seeing the hard work swimmers put in pay off in the season opener.
"We have been working really hard the last two weeks," Lassen said. "I think we earned it."
