Stock’s strong performances lead BSHS swimmers to 3rd

Archive for Thursday, April 28, 2011

April 28, 2011

Toni Stock was in top form Tuesday at the Leavenworth Invitational, and she used a pair of strong individual performances and strong relay efforts to help lead the Braves to a third-place finish.

Stock blazed to a first-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly and also delivered a third-place finish in the 200 individual medley with her fastest time of the year.

“Toni is a consistent performer who is always wanting to do better,” BSHS coach Lynn LaNoue said. “She is also a leader that leads by example and not by words, though when we do have team discussion she does remind the ladies they will only get better at swimming by working out in the water.”

Stock also teamed with Kaysi Bias, Elizabeth Barger and Cheyanne Miller on the 200 freestyle relay team that earned first place, and Stock joined Makayla Mefferd, Barger and Bias on the fourth-place 200 medley relay team.

LaNoue said he is still tinkering with his relay lineups to find the best combinations, but he sees progress.

“(I’m) still experimenting with the medley relay, but I think I have the combo for the 200 free,” he said. “The 400 free combo is still very fluid and is something I do not have the numbers to focus in on at this time. The improvement is mostly a result of the girls pushing themselves harder at practice, plus some technique work.”

Stock’s successes helped set the tone for an all-around solid day for BSHS.

Chandler Clark, Stephanie Rose, Jordan Merino and Miller placed third in the 400 freestyle relay. In addition, Miller raced to a second-place finish in the 500 freestyle and Merino took fifth. Miller also had a fifth-place finish in the 50 freestyle.

Barger collected a third-place finish in the 100 freestyle and a fifth-place finish in the 100 breaststroke with her fastest time of the season.

Also for the Braves, Bias finished fifth in the 100 freestyle and Mefferd placed sixth; Rose placed fifth in the 100 backstroke and Mefferd was sixth; and Bias placed seventh in the 100 breaststroke.

The Braves return to the pool at 4 p.m. today at Turner.

Bonner Springs has yet to collect state-qualifying times, but LaNoue said there’s still time for that to be accomplished.

“We are still a ways off from qualifying times for state, but my hopes are the ladies will be able to build off the momentum from their last home meet for our next several meets,” he said.