Dunlap dominates Mid-Illini swimming and diving invite

Staff Writer
Journal Star
Journal Star

The host Dunlap Co-op girls swimming and diving team won eight events and claimed the Mid-Illini Conference Invitational meet on Saturday afternoon.

The host Eagles finished with a winning total of 449 points, 120 better than runner-up Metamora Co-op. The Pekin Co-op finished third (288), Washington Co-op fourth (152) and Canton fifth (67).

Freshman Ava Salverson led the Eagles with individual wins in the 50 butterfly, 200 IM and 100 breaststroke. She also was a “leg” on the winning 200 medley relay.

There were no relays, which are not allowed this season because of the COVID pandemic. But the coaches added the 50 back, 50 breast, 50 fly and 50 free times for each relay team to create the relay times and places.

The Dunlap swimmers on the 200 medley relay time were Salverson, Shannon McCall, Kenna Wollard and Ellie Mitchell. Their combined times totaled 1:59.73.

Grace DiGiallonardo, a Dunlap sophomore, won the 100 back, 100 free, and was on the winning 400 free relay team along with teammates Eva Milam, Kristin Shifely and Katherine Duran.

Metamora’s Anna Peplowski won four individual events, claiming titles in the 50 free, 200 free, 500 free and 50 back. She teamed with Brook Barlow, Mia Hutchison and Mia Points to win the 200 free “relay” in 1:46.51.