With the regular season and Conference completed, Girls’ Swimming and Diving team is optimistic about State competition in St. Peters today. After finishing with a 4-4 record and a First Place finish at Ladue Invitational, the team has high hopes for the playoffs.

"We had a pretty good season. We had a lot of freshmen and sophomore girls, so in a couple of years they should solidify the relay teams," said Eric Means, second-year head coach.

Seniors Alex Critzas, Casey Lovera, and Melanie Choc, along with juniors Liz Kienstra, and diver Kelly Swartzbaugh, hope to make an impact at the State competition. However, they faced some tough competition just at the Conference level.

The Flyers finished 5th at the Conference meet with 167 pts. on Feb. 9, while Lafayette took first with 577 pts.

"If we were in a different Conference, we could have had a better record. Lafayette will probably take State," said Means .

Yet, what LHS has over some schools is experience against exceptional teams, like Lafayette, having already swam against them in dual meets during the regular season. Also, there is experience of State meets in the athletes. Lovera, Critzas, Choc and Swartzbaugh all have been to State in previous years.

"We are all friends so it is fun keep going to State together. Hopefully we will finish in the top ten," said Swartzbaugh.

With State wrapping up tomorrow at St. Charles Rec. Plex, look for a strong finish by the experienced Flyers.