A Service of The Arrow           Monday March 27, 2000 8:56 PM

By: Sarah Braseth

ARROW STAFF

Just when the other teams thought it was safe to go back into the water, Flathead swimmers proved them wrong. The Braves and Bravettes both swam to a second-place finish in the state swimming meet Feb. 4-6 at the Hardin Community Center.

"I thought we swam great and we had a lot of fun doing it," said sophomore Annie Grayson. "We were a little disappointed because we wanted first place and we were so close."

"We weren’t expecting anything greater than third place," said junior Jonathan Stebbins. "On the final day everything seemed to come together and the turnout was unexpected but good. We were happier than the girls, but both teams should be happy with their finish."

Grayson was one of many swimmers who helped propel the girls’ team to a second-place finish by placing fourth in both the individual medley and in the 500 freestyle. Other strong Bravette finishes included:

• Jenny Nerison (Sr), second place in the 200 medley and in the 100 backstroke;

• Jessie Ford (Sr), second place in the 50 freestyle and fourth in the 100 freestyle;

• Krissie Henning (Fr), sixth place in the 100 backstoke;

• Amber Walter (Fr), recordbreaking first place in both the100 butterfly and the 100 backstroke.

As the Bravettes swam towards the top, the Braves also created waves of their own. Besides placing in all three relays, the Braves saw excellent finishes from seniors Sam Dauenhauer, senior Dan DiStefano, junior Matt Hartmann, sophomore David Edwards, and freshman Scott Somerfield.

"I felt good about the meet," said Dauenhaur. "I wasn’t in it for competitiveness, I was just helping out the team."

Dauenhaur felt that this was the best year he’d ever swam as he helped the Braves with a second- place finish in the 50 freestyle, and in the 100 back. Top Braves finishes also included:

•DiStefano, second in the 100 breast-stroke, and fourth in the 200 individual medley;

•Hartmann, second place in the 200 freestyle and the 100 fly;

•Edwards, fourth in the 500 free and sixth and the 100 fly;

•Sommerfield, fifth in the 500 free and sixth in the 200 individual medley.

After a tough, emotional, yet exciting weekend, the Braves and Bravettes returned with high hopes for next year. After a brief break in the action, the wee morning hours at the Sunnir’s pool once again will be occupied by FHS swimmers.

"I think we’ll be among the top three in the state next year, " said Grayson. "We are only losing two seniors."

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