SWIMMING & DIVING FAYETTEVILLE GIRLS CLAIM 6A-7A STATE TITLE

Fayetteville stopped another Bentonville High streak Saturday afternoon at the Bentonville Community Center. The Lady Purple Bulldogs claimed the Class 6A-7A state swimming and diving title, knocking off the Lady Tigers for the second time in a two weeks. Fayetteville wrestled the North District title away from Bentonville two weeks ago, ending a streak of six consecutive titles by the Lady Tigers. It was more of the same at the state meet as Bentonville's streak of three state titles came to an end. The Lady Purple'Dogs outdistanced Little Rock Central 387.5-361 to win its first state swimming and diving title since 2001. Bentonville finished third. Fayetteville coach Michael Kaminski leaped into the pool, despite wearing a purple polo and khakis, to celebrate the victory with his team. "This year it just all kinda came together," said Kaminski with his clothes still dripping. "Everyone's healthy. Everyone's been training hard. We've got a great dynamic with our group. Everybody cares about each other and I just couldn't be prouder. "We felt like we had a good shot. We also knew that Little Rock Central and Bentonville are very, very strong." Kaminiski pointed to three divers, who were new to the team, as keys in the victory. "We would not have won the meet without them," said Kaminski, whose team finished third last year just behind Little Rock Central. "I like to look at the data as a science teacher, and without our eighth-, ninth- and 10th-place girls diving we would have lost to Central by half a point." Olivia Keith and Hailey Rissinger were Fayetteville's only state champions, with Keith claiming the 100-yard freestyle and Rissinger winning the one-meter diving competition. Keith also joined with Audrey McKinnon, Caroline Stelte and Kexin Meng to win the 200 medley relay. McKinnon, who also finished second in the 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke, said the win at district gave the team momentum to take the state title. "After districts we just really had a fire in us," said McKinnon, who moved to Fayetteville from Memphis this year. "It was big for us to win this thing. We swim all the time against these people all the time at club. Just to win for our high school is really important to us." Being a senior, it was particularly important for Keith, who also finished second 200 individual medley. "It was so special to come together as one, especially for coach Mike," said Keith, who will swim collegiately at Nebraska next year. "Being a senior it was the last time to swim here with my teammates. It was such a good time. We enjoyed it." McKinnon competed in the state meet in Tennessee last year, but she had only four other teammates with her. This year was different. "Coming from not as big a school, it's really special to share this with my friends," McKinnon said. "We only had five girls make it to state and sharing it with 20 girls is really special." Little Rock Central ended another Bentonville streak by winning the boys' team title. Central edged Conway 440-419 stopping an incredible run of 13 straight championships by Bentonville. Bentonville sophomore Ryan Husband enjoyed a big day winning both the 100 and 200 freestyle. He also helped the Tigers win the 400 freestyle relay. Bentonville West's Gavin Vann also won the 100 backstroke for the second consecutive year. Jonesboro's Bella Cothern won two events and set two state records. She won the 100 breaststroke and the 50 freestyle both in record time. Her time of 23.39 topped the old record of 23.65 set in 1999 by Benton's Hope Earnhart. She beat the old record in the 100 breaststroke by more than a second with a time of 1:03.85. Conway's boys also set a record in the 200 freestyle relay. The Wampus Cats' time of 1:26.24 beat the mark of 1:27.00 set by Bentonville High in 2016.

SWIMMING & DIVING FAYETTEVILLE GIRLS CLAIM 6A-7A STATE TITLE

Photo Credit: Charlie Kaijo

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