Several Hopkins Swimmers Qualify for State

Hopkins is sending several swimmers and a diver to this year’s state swimming and diving championships.

The Royals finished fourth among the eights teams that competed in the Section 6AA championships Thursday through Saturday in Minnetonka, earning a total of 188 points.

A pair of swimmers qualified for state individually in two events.

Ninth grader Kate Glover finished ninth in the 200-yard freestyle and 500-yard freestyle—with times of 1:55.74 and 5:13.60, respectively.

Senior Rae Bullinger finished fourth in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 52.79 seconds. She also finished third in the 100-yard breast stroke with a time of 1:05.10.

Bullinger was also a part of the 200-yard medley relay team that qualified for state. She, sophomore Josie Berman, senior Addie Thelen and seventh grader Molly Meland swam for a combined 1:50.23 that won them fourth place.

Meland also qualified individually by placing fifth in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 58.67.

And junior Ari Brace placed second in the one-meter diving competition. Her 418.05 points were just .3 points behind the winner.

The state championship takes place Nov. 18 through Nov. 20 at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center.