Aleah Karolus broke two school records as the Boone girls’ swimming and diving team placed fourth at the Johnston Invitational Saturday, October 10.
The Toreadors continued to show their depth against some of the state’s top schools, finishing with 173 points and behind only Dowling Catholic, Waukee Northwest and host Johnston in the 11-team field.
“It was a great day in Johnston today, head coach Chris Mann said.
“Our girls had a very impressive showing from top to bottom, including 34 new lifetime bests, and 14 other swims that were season bests.”
Individually, Aleah Karolus led the way with a victory in the 50-yard freestyle, winning the event in 23.94 seconds, setting a new school record and automatically qualifying for the state meet.
Additionally, Avery Howie also automatically qualified for the state meet in the 50 free with her time of 24.37.
Karolus also placed second in the 100 freestyle with a time of 53.04, again setting a new school record and automatically qualifying for state.
“Aleah broke two school records – 50 free (23.94) and 100 free (53.04) – both of which were automatic qualifying times for state!” Mann said.
“Avery also swam an auto qualifying time in the 50 free of 24.37 (state qualifying cut is 24.91),” Mann said.
Quinn Houston took fourth in the 200 freestyle in 2:01.36, while Kilee Hughes finished eighth in the same event at 2:04.58.
In the 200 individual medley, Claire Enabnit placed ninth in 2:23.21 and Harper Houston was 12th in 2:25.18.
Finley Houser added a 16th-place finish in the 200 freestyle and later took 17th in the 100 butterfly.
The Toreadors also received strong performances in the distance events.
Hughes was 10th in the 500 freestyle with a time of 5:37.00, while Quinn Houston placed 12th in 5:40.08.
Morgan Cox added an 18th-place finish.
Howie contributed a runner-up finish in the 100 backstroke, touching in 1:01.18, while Makenzie Klatt placed 10th in the same event.
Hughes added a third-place finish in the 100 breaststroke in 1:11.11, and Harper Houston was 12th.
Boone received a third-place finish in the 200-yard medley relay.
The quartet of Klatt, Ellie Hughes, Houser, and Sara Gute touched the wall in 1:56.51, finishing behind only Dowling Catholic and Northwest.
The Toreadors also earned third place in the 200 freestyle relay, as Howie, Houston, Kilee Hughes, and Karolus posted a time of 1:40.17.
Boone added a runner-up finish in the 400 freestyle relay, where Quinn Houston, Howie, Kilee Hughes, and Karolus combined for a 3:41.30, trailing only Dowling Catholic.
“We had girls moving up all day like mad, but one thing that stood out to me that was maybe extra impressive was that all 3 of our B relays would have either qualified for state a year ago or been right on the cusp of qualifying,” Mann said.
“The depth is really crazy. I’m just proud of the poise they had all day long and their ability to hang with the best teams in the state,” he said.
Boone also earned points in diving, where Amaya Filipiak placed 17th with a score of 285.25.
Complete results were previously posted to kwbg.com
The Toreadors overall record is 30-5, and the dual record is 5-0.
The next meet will be Tuesday, October 13, at home against Carroll and Newton.
Jill Lutz reporting
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