Babcock by a whisker in Kalispell

Colton Babcock won two events and the Columbia Falls boys swim team took fourth overall as it opened its season Saturday at the Kalispell Invitational.

Bacock had a thrilling finish in the 200 freestyle, as he edged Dylan Faust of Hellgate by a little more than .2 of a second. Babcock swam the race in 1:48.73, Faust had a 1:48.98. Babcock also won the 500 freestyle as he beat Faust again, this time by a little more than a second with a time of 4:54.72.

Other strong showings included the boys taking fourth in the 200 medley relay with a 2:02.54, the 200 free relay with a 1:58.20 and the 400 relay with a 3:52.56. Zayne Friar was fifth in the 200 intermediate medley with a 2:19.55 and sixth in the 100 backstroke with a 1:04.91.

The girls took eighth. Karyssa Nelson was fourth in the 100 free with a 59.97 and fourth in the 100 backstroke with a 1:06.20 to lead the Kats. The team travels to Butte this Saturday.