The Lady Crusaders took a trip to state Thursday, February 20 and Friday, February 21. The prelims took place on Thursday, and the top 16 from each event advanced to finals on Friday. The girls did an amazing job, making St. Dominic proud.

The 2020 Missouri Class 1 and 2 State Swim Meet was held at the St. Peters Rec Plex. The relay team of junior Kallie Nero, junior Ava Kannady, sophomore Caroline Cunningham, and freshman Sydney Pickett competed in the 200 Freestyle Relay, coming into the competition with an entry time of 1:49.50. The girls placed 21 out of 36 in the prelims with a time of 1:48.76. Although the relay didn’t qualify for finals, the girls pushed themselves to their limit every single day to make it as far as they did. Congratulations to them.

Nero and Pickett also qualified to swim in two individual events each. Nero qualified for the 200 Freestyle and the 100 Butterfly, while Pickett qualified for the 200 Individual Medley and the 500 Freestyle. Nero’s entry time for the 200 Freestyle was 2:04:47, and her prelim time was an astounding 2:01.21! Her entry time for the 100 Butterfly was 1:02:62, and she finished prelims with a 1:01.04. Pickett’s entry time for the 500 Freestyle was 5:24.02, and she went 5:28.77 at prelims. Her entry time for the 200 Individual Medley was 2:16:88, and she finished in 2:16.31 at prelims. Both girls qualified for the finals in all of their races.

Finals took place the next day, and the top eight places in each event received a medal. Pickett’s final time for the 200 Individual Medley was a 2:16.83, placing her at twelfth overall. Her 500 Freestyle final time was 5:26.38, ending her at tenth overall. Nero swam a 1:00.77 in the 100 Butterfly finals, placing her at ninth overall and dropping almost 2 full seconds off of her entry time! In the 200 Freestyle, Nero went a 2:02.57, placing her at fifteenth overall. St. Dominic placed twenty-fourth overall as a team.

Finals were so much fun for all of those involved, and the girls did a great job preparing and competing. We want to wish a huge congratulations to everyone who competed at the 2020 MSHSAA State Swim Meet. Our Lady Crusaders did a fantastic job, and the girls are now taking a much deserved break. Everyone from Coach Rachel Imming to teammates to family and to friends are proud of the girls and couldn’t be more excited for next season!