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BRAINERD – The Bemidji High ÍáÍáÂþ»­ girls swimming and diving team is sending several swimmers through to the Section 8AA finals.

Matching up against their section foes on Friday in Brainerd, the Lumberjacks advanced numerous swimmers in the preliminary round, setting them up for finals appearances on Saturday back in Brainerd.

Bemidji’s 200-yard freestyle relay group of Elena Harmsen, Kylie Donat, Abby Daman and Elle Wille had the best finish for the Jacks, placing third with a time of 1:43.39. The Lumberjacks’ 200-yard medley relay team also advanced, with Marley Ueland, Daman, Naomi Olson and Donat posting a time of 1:58.87 to place seventh.

Individually, Ryan Gaskins led the way for BHS with her sixth-place finish in the 500 free (5:31.42). Wille also advanced with a 10th-place finish (5:37.48).

Daman finished seventh to advance in the 100 breaststroke (1:11.39). In the 100 free, the Jacks saw three swimmers advance. Daman placed ninth with a 57.28, Harmsen took 13th in 58.27 and Donat clocked a 58.46 to take the 16th and final automatic qualifying spot.

Two Lumberjacks advanced in both the 200 free and the 50 free. Gaskins (11th, 2:04.45) and Wille (12th, 2:04.82) moved on in the 200, while Harmsen (11th, 26.01) and Donat (13th, 26.36) qualified in the 50.

Bemidji’s 400 free relay team of Harmsen, Molly Matetich, Gaskins and Wille took ninth in 3:55.20, just missing out on the final automatic qualifying spot. BHS will be the first alternate team to step in should one of the top eight qualifying squads be unable to compete on Saturday.