BY Blue Springs Examiner

After waiting nearly all of last season before qualifying for state, Blue Springs diver Jennifer Wiederrich didn't waste any time this year.

Wiederrich finished second to all-America teammate Molly Menefee in the event, scoring 219.60 points and earning her state cut.

That finish helped host Blue Springs knock off Suburban Big Seven foe Lee's Summit North, 143.5-72.5.

It was the first dual meet competition for each team.

"Last year, I didn't get (my cut) until about three-fourths of the way through the season," she said. "It's a big relief, but I'm still going to work hard."

Blue Springs coach Bill Shalley said Wiederrich has already shown a lot of character.

"She's more mature, and it shows in her practice habits," Shalley said. "She's working on her weaknesses, and it shows a lot of maturity."

In the pool, Shalley and the Wildcats had no complaints, as they won 10 of the 11 swimming events, including finishing first and second in six of them.

Abby Nelson and Tarin Corwin each won two individual events for the Wildcats. Nelson won the 200-yard individual medley (2 minutes, 13.45 seconds) and the 100 butterfly (1:01.63). Corwin was first in the 200 freestyle (1:59.15) and the 100 freestyle (54.33).

Other individual champions for the Wildcats, who swept all three relays, were: Menefee, diving (233.90); Shelby Bolin, 500 freestyle (5:26.87); Shaida Solimani, 100 backstroke (1:02.71); Kristi Fries, 100 breaststroke (1:15.83).

Bolin's win in the 500 freestyle may have been the most impressive of the night - as she won the event by more than 35 seconds and lapped every competitor except for teammate Kelsea Floyd, who finished second.

"I was just racing myself, trying to do my best," Bolin said. "It was a lot better than at this time last year. And that's good. I hope to keep getting it down for state.

"My goal is 5:05 by state. I hope I can do it."

Shalley said he expects her to be closer to her goal than the time she swam Tuesday.

"She's going to go a whole lot faster than (5:26.87)," Shalley said.

For the Broncos, Lisa Menne was the sole individual winner, taking first in the 50 freestyle (26.64). She was also second to Corwin in the 100 freestyle, with a state-qualifying time of 56.96.

Though his team did not pick up the win over the rival Wildcats, North coach Andy Wilcox said that wasn't necessarily the goal Tuesday.

"The great thing about swimming is you can get stomped and still swim well," he said. "I've had meets where we've won and everyone's excited, but we didn't swim well.

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