By Scott A. Kolb

Post-Bulletin, Austin MN 

ALBERT LEA -- A pair of Austin Packers were named to the All-Big Nine team after their strong performances on Saturday at the conference meet.

Overall, the Austin girls finished tied for seventh-place with Albert Lea in the team standings at the Big Nine Meet. Each team has 138 points on the day.

Rochester John Marshall was the conference champion by an overwhelming margin of 228 points. Faribault was the runner-up and Rochester Century finished in third-place.

Averi Splinter and Sela Fadness from Austin were selected to the all-conference team. Brooke Johnson of the Packers was named as an honorable mention to the All-Big Nine team.

Splinter has a busy day in the pool as she competed in four different events.

In addition to being part of two relays, Splinter finished fourth individually in the 50 freestyle and was second in the 100-yard butterfly.

Anna Smith also added points to the Packers team total with a top 16 finish in the butterfly event.

"Averi swam a 1:01.39 in the butterfly, which was the 11th fastest time in Big Nine Meet history," Austin coach Lynn Gulbrandson said. "The girls did a nice job at the conference meet and this was a good tune-up for the section."

Fadness continues to improve on her diving routines. She finished fifth in the conference meet with a score of 301.40 points.

The Packers have had divers qualify for the state meet throughout this decade and Fadness hopes to continue that tradition in the upcoming Section One, Class A Meet.

Johnson was the lead swimmer on the Packers 200-yard medley relay team, which finished sixth. She was also on the 400 freestyle relay, and placed ninth individually in the 100-yard backstroke.

Austin swimmers and divers will next host the Section 1A Meet on Nov. 11 and 13 at the Ellis pool.

BIG NINE MEET

TEAM STANDINGS

Rochester John Marshall 527, Faribault 299, Rochester Century 265, Owatonna 265, Winona 207, Rochester Mayo 179, Austin 138, Albert Lea 138, Mankato West 128, Mankato East 67.

(Austin results)

200 medley relay -- 6. Austin (Brooke Johnson, Kelli Bednar, Averi Splinter, Helen Heimark) 1:58.02. 50 freestyle -- 4. Averi Splinter 25.87. Diving -- 5. Sela Fadness 301.40. 100 butterfly -- 2. Averi Splinter 1:01.39; 16. Anna Smith 1:10.14. 100 freestyle -- 16. Kelli Bednar 59.47. 500 freestyle -- 11. Helen Heimark 5:48.81. 200 freestyle relay -- 8. Austin (Averi Splinter, Kelli Bednar, Lauren Edwards, Helen Heimark) 1:48.00. 100 backstroke -- 9. Brooke Johnson 1:05.86. 100 breaststroke -- 12. Kelli Bednar 1:16.69. 400 freestyle relay -- 8. Austin (Lauren Edwards, Merideth Fritz, Lindsey Halsey, Brooke Johnson) 4:01.71.

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