Kearns in prime shape for state swim meet

Apparently, Melissa Bergesen has taken it upon herself to make her senior year the best. The Kearns High swimmer has catapulted to the top 10 in 5A in numerous individual events based on her performances in meets over the last two months.

Bergesen held six of the eight top individual times for Kearns’ girls as of Jan. 15. She was leading the 200 individual medley (2:14.02, second in 5A), 100 breaststroke (1:09.02, third), 100 butterfly (1:02.29, fourth), 200 freestyle (2:02.84, sixth), 100 free (56.13, sixth) and 50 free (26.26, 16^th). She is also ranked sixth overall in the 100 backstroke (1:04.95) and seventh in the 500 free (5:33.75).

Kearns competed against West and Syracuse in a tri-meet Dec. 1, the Granite District Championships on Dec. 16, at Taylorsville on Jan. 5, and against American Fork and Lone Peak on Jan. 11.

Alisa Gouge led the Cougars in a pair of events: 100 back (1:01.97, second) and 500 free (5:30.88, sixth). Overall, Gouge was also ranked fourth in the 200 IM (2:19.40), seventh in the 200 free (2:02.96), 14^th in the 100 free, 18^th in the 50 free and 21^st in the 100 fly.

Sierra Erickson also had a top-10 showing for Kearns, ranked sixth overall in the 100 fly (1:02.70). She was also 18^th in the 100 back, while Jessica Fullmer was 13^th in the 500 free, 14^th in the 200 IM and 18^th in the 200 free. Rachel Butterfield was 21^st in the 100 breast.

On the boys side. Sam Huff held every individual top time. Huff led the 50 free (21.33, first in 5A), 100 free (47.34, second), 200 IM (2:03.71, sixth), 100 breast (1:03.80, seventh), 100 fly (55.27, eighth), 100 back (56.26, eighth), 200 free (1:51.18, 11^th) and 500 free (5:12.11, 20^th).

Kevin Anderson was seventh overall in the 50 free (22.60), 18^th in the 100 back and 23^rd in the 100 free, Thomas Haskan was 10^th in the 100 back (56.67) and 13^th in the 100 fly and Bryce Pearson was ninth in the 100 breast (1:04.72) and 20^th in the 200 IM. Nathan Peercy was 16^th in the 100 breast and Adam Parkinson was 23^rd in the 500 free and 25^th in the 200 free.

Taylorsville

Aferdit Sadrija and Ben Baldridge continue to be the top individual performers for the Warriors. Each held five individual top times in their respective division.

Sadrija led Taylorsville’s girls in the 200 free (2:13.48, 44^th in 5A), 500 free (6:11.01, 49^th), 100 back (1:11.49, 49^th), 50 free (28.10) and 100 free (1:01.18). Maggie Poole led the Warriors in the 200 IM (2:55.78) and 100 fly (1:21.85) and Asia Drayton led the 100 breast (1:30.92).

Meanwhile, Baldridge was pacing Taylorsville’s boys in the 100 back (59.68, 27^th), 100 free (52.58, 40^th), 50 free (24.01, 42^nd), 100 breast (1:10.74, 48^th) and 200 IM (2:16.71). John Anderson had the top time in the 200 free (2:01.85), Jordan Westover led the 100 fly (1:01.13) and Cody Adair led the 500 free (5:44.19) for the Warriors.

The 5A state championships will be Feb. 10-12 at Brigham Young University.