A record-setting performance from Mounds View senior Noah Lucas helped the Mustangs' swimming and diving team take ninth in the Gold Division at the Maroon and Gold Invitational.
Lucas swam a meet record time of 4 minutes, 35.68 seconds in the 500-yard freestyle. He also took first in the 200 freestyle in a time of 1:42.51 and anchored the Mustangs' fourth-place finishes in the 200 and 400 freestyle relays.
Maple Grove finished seventh as several swimmers posted strong results. Sophomore Brenner Hohenstein finished fourth in the 100 breaststroke and senior Tristan Plante placed fourth in the 100 backstroke. Junior Dan Ebert placed seventh in both the 100 breaststroke and 200 individual medley, one spot ahead of junior teammate Andrew Wong in the latter race. The 200 yard medley relay placed sixth.
In the Maroon Division, Anoka junior Cole Birklid doubled up with victories in the 200 and 500 freestyle events. He also anchored the Tornadoes' runner-up 200 freestyle relay and third-place 400 freestyle relay.
The other members of the Tornadoes' relay teams enjoyed individual success. Junior Josh Gerick placed sixth in the 200 freestyle and senior Alex Kvidera placed seventh in 50 freestyle. Sophomore Matt Hedman finished fourth in the 200 individual medley and second in the 500 freestyle. Anoka placed sixth out of 11 teams.
In the Bronze Division, Andover's 400 freestyle relay of sophomore John Kemp, junior Jack Rodman, senior Cody Corthell and junior Tyler Behnke took first, leading the Huskies to a third-place team finish. Blaine placed seventh of 16 teams.
North jottingsThe Centennial girls' basketball team started the season 11-1, led by senior guard Paige Waytashek (14.8 points per game) ... The Blaine boys' hockey team snapped a four-game losing streak with a 5-0 victory against No. 16 Andover. Brandon Notermann scored twice as the ninth-ranked Bengals threw 48 shots at standout Huskies goaltender Chase Perry. Blaine has scored a combined 17 goals in three consecutive victories against the Huskies going back to last season. ... The Park Center boys' basketball team rebounded from its first loss this season to beat previously undefeated Elk River. The Pirates carried the No. 1 ranking in Class 4A into a showdown with DeLaSalle (No. 1 in Class 3A) and fell 74-60. One day later, the Pirates defeated Elk River 76-63 as senior guard Quinton Hooker scored 27 points to help offset a 30-point performance by Elk River junior forward Clay Elrod.
David La Vaque • 612-673-7574
