Sports
Wyandotte Freshman to Swim at State Competition
Clare Sutka qualified to compete in the 100-yard backstroke at the Division 2 state swimming and diving finals in Holland.
Freshman swimmer Clare Sutka will represent today at the Division 2 state finals for girls swimming and diving in Holland.
Sutka, who said this season was her first time ever swimming competitively, will take part in the 100-yard backstroke event after helping to break two school swimming records this year.
To clinch a spot in the state finals, she qualified in the 100-yard backstroke event on Nov. 4 at the Downriver League championship meet . Sutka posted a time of 1:03.62, where 1:03:69 was needed to qualify for states.
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That day, in the 100-yard backstroke event, Sutka finished behind only , who posted a time of 1:01.27.
“It feels amazing,” Sutka said of earning her trip to the state finals. “I was so shocked when I got that time. I’m just really proud.”
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Despite her lack of competitive swimming experience, Sutka started the year off fast and never looked back.
At the season’s first meet, which was at home against Redford Union, she grabbed first place in the 100-yard fly and 100-yard backstroke.
Less than two weeks later, she teamed up with freshmen girls Julie Lack, Rosalee Hackenberg and Josie Martin to break a 15-year-old school record in the 200-yard freestyle relay at a meet on the road against Allen Park.
Throughout the season, Sutka notched several first-place finishes at Wyandotte meets, winning such events as the 200-yard individual medley and the 50-yard freestyle.
At an Eastern Michigan University meet, Sutka broke a 17-year-old school record in the 100-yard backstroke.
Sutka said she credits the coaching staff, as well as her family, for helping her achieve so much this season. The guidance of team captain, senior Nicole Tank, also was a major factor in her success this year, she said.
“She was the team’s leader,” Sutka said of Tank. “She took me under her wing and treated me like a little sister.”
The Division 2 girls swimming finals are being held today and tomorrow at the Holland Community Aquatic Center. A field of 37 girls will be competing in the 100-yard backstroke event, of which only seven, including Sutka, are freshmen.
