MADISON — Battling two of the state’s top programs, plus conference rival Oregon on Aug. 31, the Monroe-New Glarus swim team finished third overall in the season-opening meet.

Edgewood won the title with a score of 580, while McFarland was second at 479.5. Monroe (399) finished ahead of Oregon (364.5). The host Crusaders won 7 of the 11 events, with MNG winning two events, and McFarland and Oregon taking first in one event each.

“The girls have been doing a great job pushing themselves in practice,” said Rachel Root, MNG co-coach. “They continually want to keep improving and express their excitement to race and cheer on their teammates. A few swimmers swam very close to their personal best times tonight and it is only the first meet of the season. We are very excited to see our swimmers progress and grow as the season goes on.”

Monroe’s Karley Michels finished first overall in the 50-yard breaststroke, finishing with a time of 34.19 seconds, a clear .25 seconds ahead of Edgewood’s Abby Reid. Michels was fourth in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:15.16), just 3/100ths of a second out of third place. 

In the 100-yard butterfly, MNG’s Mazie Paradis was first at 59.54 seconds. Paradis was third in the 100-backstroke (58.45).

In the 400-yard freestyle relay, the Cheesemakers quartet of Morgan Erstad, Riley Hoesly, Delaney Lynch and Paradis were third (3:55.96).

Other notable performances include Lynch (4th place, 50-yard butterfly) and Hoesly (4th, 50-back; 5th, 100-free).

Up next for MNG is a meet at Oregon Sept. 7, followed by the Lodi Invitational Sept. 11. The first hom emeet is Sept. 14 against Edgewood at the Green County Family YMCA.