Swimmers third at state meet
<p>The Plum Creek Foundation recently awarded the new Columbia Falls-Whitefish combined high school swim team $6,000. From the left are, front row, Zayne Friar, Haley Greene, Karyssa Nelson, coach Mike Nelson, Lorrie Woods, Matthew Perez, Sarah Perez and Tony Friar; back row, Casey Botner, Dave Ring, Amy Hickman and Daria Perez.</p>
The Columbia Falls swim team took third among the Class AA schools at the state swim meet Aug. 2-3 in Conrad.
Zayne Friar set a new pool record in the 100 meter butterfly in the boys 13-14 age group with a time of 1:11.01. He also took the crown in the 50 butterfly at 30.67.
Jessica Loyda swept her events and set new pool records in the girls 13-14 age group for the 200 intermediate medley at 2:46.65 and the 50 and 100 freestyle at 29.27 and 1:05.35 respectively.
Cloey Ramage won the 8-and-under 25 meter backstroke with a time of 24.08. The boys 11-12 team won the 200 medley relay at 2:42.
The swim team also had excellent performances from Russell Albin, Tyler Langton, James Role, Bubba Loyda, Jolie Friar, Zane McCallum and Kimberly Peacock, coach Deidre Loyda said.
She was also impressed with the accomplishments of first-year swimmers Emma Lane, Jenisha Green, Ramage and Spencer Burden.
“Our parents are an amazing support system, and the Loydas feel blessed to be back for another year,” Loyda said.
She said the team worked hard all season, getting up at 6 a.m. to practice everyday.