MINNEAPOLIS -- Alissa Tinklenberg is the highest returning qualifier in the Class A 200 yard freestyle. The Willmar freshman placed third last year as an eighth-grader in the state meet at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center.
Three other qualifiers return in the event. Her qualifying time of two minutes flat is only the seventh fastest of 24 swimmers in Tuesday's preliminaries. But the six-time state medal winner doesn't punch in overdrive until the state meet. Last year she came in at 2:03.33 in the 200 free and posted a 1:58.33 in the final, a nearly five second drop.
Tinklenberg also swims in the 500 freestyle and on Willmar's 200-free and 400 freestyle relays. She medaled (top eight) in four events last year and two as a seventh grader.
Willmar teammates Mary Morris, Sarah Frank and Aleasha Blokzyl have each medaled at past state meets. It is the first state trip for Sarah Hund, who qualified in three events, and diver Beth Pollock.
Montevideo is sending six swimmers to the state meet. Madi Eid, a senior, will swim in four events. Also qualifing is Ashley Briones, Liz Devorak, Allison Rongstad, Casey Schulte and Melissa Varpness.
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Molly Hansvick of Litchfield qualified in diving.
Tuesday's preliminaries will determine eight swimmers for Wednesday the championship heat and eight for the consolation. Diving preliminaries today will cut the field from 32 to 16 for Wednesday's final three dives.
