Section Trials Recap: Johnson Hoping for Memorable Final Swims

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LODI, Calif. – St. Francis senior Maddie Johnson will swim the final meet of her high school career on Saturday at the Sac-Joaquin Section Girls finals at Tokay High School.

“It is exciting because it is my senior year,” said Johnson, who reached the championship final in her signature event the 100 butterfly. “I am really looking forward to doing well and leaving my mark and getting some best times.”

She advanced by placing third in the trials Thursday in 57.04. She also will swim in the consolation final for the 200 individual medley after finishing ninth in 2:09.15, just missing the top eight finals cut.

“They felt good, hopefully I can change a few things and make them a little quicker for Saturday,” said Johnson, who won both events at the Delta River League Championships.

Johnson will be joined by a strong contingent Saturday in the finals. St. Francis advanced all three varsity relays and 10 individuals into 12 finals. The Troubadours also have a competitive Frosh/Soph team swimming both days.

The Troubadours will have three swimmers in both the 100 butterfly and 500 freestyle events.

Joining Johnson in the 100 fly is Erin Crooks and Tatum Ropeke. Crooks finished 12th overall in 59.29, while Roepke was 14th in 59.70 to reach the consolation final.

Sophomore Chloe Mitchell led three qualifiers in the 500 freestyle. Mitchell, the Delta River League champion in the event, made the championship final with a time of 5:00.37 to place fifth. Katie McIntee and Roepke were 10th and 13th overall, respectively.

Senior Alexis Martinez, a Seattle University signee, made the consolation final in the 50 freestyle with a time of 25.10, finishing 12th overall. Sophomore Emily Peters was 18th overall in 25.44 and junior Isabella Smith touched the wall 27th (25.74). Martinez was 18th overall in the 100 freestlye.

Senior AnnClaire MacArt, who will swim at Dartmouth, qualified in both 100 and 200 freestyle events after winning both at the DRL meet two weeks ago. She was third overall in the 100 freestyle (52.36).

Mitchell was the top Troubadour in the backstroke, clocking 1:00.63 in the 100 back. Teammates Elizabeth Fugit and Peters placed 15th and 20th overall.

Other top finishes included Kristen Lance placing 16th in the 100 breaststroke (1:09.52) and 18th in the 200 IM (2:17.12). Crooks just missed the 100 breaststroke finals in 17th overall in 1:09.54, Senior Lilly Murphy was 24th.

For Johnson, it has been a thought-provoking week looking back on her career.

 “It was been pretty good,” said Johnson. “It is weird thinking about it and remembering freshmen year. We wanted to make sure we were here for the freshmen and sophomores like the seniors were there for us.”

Johnson will swim at TCU next fall after signing with the school in the fall.

“I am so excited,” said Johnson. “It is going to be rally fun. I immediately fell in love with it on my recruiting trip. They have so much to offer me and different opportunities. I am really excited to meet everybody.”

But she has one for high school meet to complete first, looking to help the Troubadours reach their goal of a top-three finish.

“We are definitely trying to place and battle it out for third,” said Johnson. “We are shooting for best times and everyone wants to do well.”

Head Coach Richard Levin is excited about the possibilities on Saturday.

“We had some ups and downs,” said Head Coach Richard Levin. “I thought our relays came out and swam well to get into the finals. We have a lot of kids right on the cusp. We are going to have a good swim Saturday and fight for top three.”

The 200 medley relay qualified fifth, the 200 free relay was sixth and the 400 free relay was third..

The finals start Saturday morning at 10 a.m. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for students and children ages 5 and under $5.

Sac-Joaquin Section Trials

Tokay High School, Lodi

St. Francis Varsity Results

200 Medley Relay

5. St. Francis, 1:50.53

200 Individual Medley

9. Maddie Johnson, 2:09.15

18. Kristen Lance, 2:17.12

50 Freestyle

12. Alexis Martinez, 25.10

18. Emily Peters, 25.44

27. Isabella Smith, 25.74

100 Butterfly

6. Maddie Johnson, 57.04

11. Erin Crooks, 59.29

14. Tatum Roepke, 59.70

100 Freestyle

3. Annclaire MacArt, 52.36

18. Alexis Martinez, 54.75

500 Freestyle

5. Chloe Mitchell, 5:00.37

10. Katie McIntee, 5:06.77

13. Tatum Roepke, 5:14.35

200 Free Relay

6. St. Francis, 1:41.32

100 Backstroke

12. Chloe Mitchell, 1:00.63

15. Elizabeth Fugit, 1:01.17

20. Emily Peters, 1L02.75

100 Breaststroke

16. Kristen Lance, 1:09.52

17. Erin Crooks, 1:09.54

24. Lilly Murphy, 1:15.19