Larson, DeBeltz lead at IRC meet

by Tom Coombe
10/11/2024 08:00 AM

A first, second and third-place finish were the highlights Tuesday as Northeast Range/Ely met other area schools in the annual Iron Range Conference high school girls swimming meet.

The Nighthawks were fourth among five teams in the standings, but senior Anna Larson and junior Via DeBeltz were the top individual finishers at Aurora.

Larson finished first in the 100 yard butterfly and second in the 50 freestyle, while DeBeltz took third in the 500 freestyle in an event that included NRE and conference rivals Mesabi East, International Falls, Chisholm and Two Harbors.

“Everyone had some great time drops and are swimming well,” said NRE Head Coach Cheri DeBeltz. “They are doing very well at this point in the season.”

While All-IRC recognition isn’t yet determined, both Larson and Via DeBeltz made a strong push for acclaim.

Larson topped the field in the 100 butterfly in 1:08.35, topping the host Giants’ Mae Layman by about .6 seconds.

In the 50 freestyle, Larson came within .58 seconds of the top spot, taking second in 27.28.

DeBeltz was in a tight race for second in the 500 and settled for third in 6:12.27.

She also placed fifth in the 200 freestyle in 2:20.52, and joined Anna Larson, Brynn Larson and Tuuli Koivisto on a fifth-place 200 freestyle relay foursome (1:58.96).

NRE’s top relay was the 400 freestyle quartet of both Larsons, DeBeltz and eighth-grader Ivy Ohlhasuer. They took third in 4:25.79.

Mesabi East outpaced Two Harbors for the team title, with International Falls in third, followed by NRE and Chisholm.

Other NRE finishers were:

• 200 medley relay - 6. Madison Jonas, Koivisto, Ohlhauser, Alyssa Ice, 2:25.99; 8. Moon Vetos-Keen, Jorden Borchert, Sabrah Hart, Raegan Borchert, 2:35.88;

• 200 freestyle - 11. Isla Carlson, 2:44.27; 12. Lucy Luthens, 2:49.40;

• 200 individual medley - 6. Koivisto, 2:52.87;

• 50 freestyle - 8. Ice, 28.97;

• 100 butterfly - 11. Hart, 1:31.70;

• 100 freestyle - 10. Brynn Larson, 1:08.01; 12. Raegan Borchert, 1:14.97;

• 500 freestyle - 9. Ohlhauser, 7:02.25; 13. Bela Moskowitz, 8:04.49;

• 200 freestyle relay - 91 Jorden Borchert, Ohlhauser, Raegan Borchert, Carlson, 2:12.86;

• 100 backstroke - 10. Hart, 1:33.50; 11. Evelyn Moran, 1:34.81;

• 100 breaststroke - 7. Koivisto, 1:29.26; 8. Jorden Borchert, 1:30.39;

• 400 freestyle relay - 7. Jorden Borchert, Luthens, Raegan Borchert, Hart, 5:05.42.