Irish, Axemen poised for district title chase.

Byline: The Register-Guard

SPRINGFIELD - Sheldon and South Eugene were both in good position to make a title run following the first day of competition at the Midwestern League district swim championships at Willamalane Swim Center on Friday.

GIRLS SWIMMING

Senior Sarah Snyder led the Irish with the top qualifying times in the 50 and 100 freestyle, while senior Chloe Thulstrup was the top finisher in the 500 freestyle and freshman Rachel Leighter led all qualifiers in the 100 backstroke.

Sheldon also posted the fastest time of the day in the 400 freestyle relay.

Sophomore Emma Jones sparked the Axemen with the top qualifying times in the 200 freestyle and 100 breaststroke, while swimming legs on the top-ranked 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays. South Eugene junior Carly Rowan had the fastest time in the 200 IM.

Lebanon's Cortnee Hanson was the top qualifier in the 100 butterfly.

District 4

NORTH BEND - Creswell's foursome of junior Amanda Fitzgerald, junior Sara Bennion, sophomore Sarah Harsey and freshman Lauren Bennion posted the best qualifying times in the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays on the first day of competition at North Bend on Friday.

Fitzgerald and Harsey also finished 1-2 in the preliminary rounds of the 100 breaststroke, and Lauren Bennion was the second-best qualifier in the 50 freestyle.

North Bend junior Denise Green was the top qualifier in the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke, while Cottage Grove sophomore Amy Arnold was second in the qualifying heat of the 100 backstroke.

District 3

ALBANY - Junction City junior Heidi Tilicki was the top qualifier in the 200 and 500 freestyle during the first day of competition at South Albany High School on Friday.

Tiger junior Darci Spillman was the second-fastest qualifier in the 100 and 200 freestyle. Those two swimmers were joined by senior teammates Lauren Knox and Katie Kerr to post the second-fastest time in the 200 freestyle relay.

Marist freshman Ingrid Woelfel turned in the top qualifying time in the 200 IM and the second-best time in the 100 breaststroke, while junior Alexis Pennington was third in the 100 butterfly.