Yellowjackets cut time in Moorhead

Perham's Kyle Swanson pushes forward in the freestyle event. Swanson qualified for the section event with his time in the 200 freestyle, which is his third event he has qualified for. Photo courtesy of Kristen McMartin Photography

By Jason Groth

January 04, 2019 03:35 PM

The Perham boys swimming and diving team returned to the pool in Moorhead on Jan. 3. The Spuds came away victorious, 98-38, but the Yellowjackets continued to make progress and cut time.

“The boys had great success racing the clock in Moorhead,” Perham head coach Jensen Maiden said. “The team cut a total of 50.32 seconds to set 15 new personal records. We also had two new section qualifying swims, bringing the total to six.”

Kyle Swanson qualified in the 200 freestyle, which is his third event. Kevin Swanson qualified in the 100 back as well.

The Yellowjackets traveled with a small lineup and were concentrating on improving their times, which they did in the meet. According to Maiden, 14 of the team’s 18 swims resulted in personal records for the team.

Kevin Swanson, Gavin Kehoe, Luke Becker and Kyle Swanson took home first place in the 200 freestyle relay at one minute and 50.40 seconds. Kevin Swanson came in first at 1:13.84 in the 100 backstroke. Gavin Kehoe earned top honors in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:29.31.

“Overall, we’re seeing a lot of improvement and the boys are really showing dedication and drive,” Maiden said. “It’s an exciting time for Yellowjacket swimming and we are excited to see what comes next. Over the next wee, we’ll be working on technique and endurance in order to keep this momentum up for our meet in Park Rapids on Jan. 10.”

The Yellowjackets are back in the pool in a dual meet with the Panthers on Jan. 10 at 6 p.m.

Moorhead 98, Perham 38

Perham Individual Results

200 medley relay-3 Gavin Kehoe, Kyle Swanson, Kevin Swanson, Jonah Bieger, 2:11:09; 200 freestyle- 3 Kyle Swanson, 2:16.85; 50 freestyle-3 Kyle Swanson, 26.43; 5 Kevin Swanson, 26.85, 6 Brody Rohloff, 32.87; 100 butterfly-4 Gavin Kehoe, 1:11.58; 100 freestyle-4 Jonah Bieger, 1:09.37; 5 Luke Becker, 1:09.99; 6 Brody Rohloff, 1:22.21; 200 freestyle relay-1 Kevin Swanson, Gavin Kehoe, Luke Becker, Kyle Swanson, 1:50.40; 100 backstroke-1 Kevin Swanson, 1:13.84; 2 Jonah Bieger, 1:33.58; 100 breaststroke-1 Gavin Kehoe, 1:29.31.

Perham's Jonah Bieger competes in the backstroke event during the Yellowjackets' dual meet with Moorhead. Photo courtesy of Kristen McMartin Photography.