Platte County made the most of an abbreviated home meet, topping a field of seven teams Friday evening at Platte County Community Center North. The Pirates totaled 476 points to edge Pembroke Hill for the title at the Platte County Invitational title, moved up a day due to expected inclement weather.
Platte County junior Mackenzie Johnson swims the breaststroke during the Platte County Invitational on Friday at Platte County Community Center North.
With the 1-meter diving competition eliminated, Platte County juniors Ronnie Benford and Mackenzie Johnson and freshman Remi Woolard won one individual event each, while Pembroke Hill’s relay sweep kept the two teams close. The Raiders ended up with 440 points, while Smithville (253) and Savannah (251) finished a distant third and fourth.
Woolard ended up with a Class 1 MSHSAA Swimming and Diving Championships consideration cut in the 500-yard freestyle, coming in at 5 minutes, 56.92 seconds to lead a sweep of the top three spots for Platte County in the event. Pirates senior Erin Anderson came in second (6:34.00) with freshman Sarah Lanier just behind in third (6:35.02).
Johnson just missed a season-best and improving her potential state qualifying mark in the 100 butterfly. Benford dominated the 200 freestyle at 2:19.19 despite being more than 3 seconds of her current top time.
Woolard, Johnson and Benford have the best shot to join Platte County senior Ashleigh Cruce as state qualifiers in individual events. She went each of the past two seasons in both the 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke.
In the Platte County Invitational, Cruce placed second in the 100 breaststroke 1:17.49 with Benford third at 1:19.93.
