Brueggen qualifies for state in two events in season opener

Louisburg freshman Sabra Brueggen swims the 100-yard backstroke last Wednesday during the team’s season opener in Osawatomie.

OSAWATOMIE — It didn’t take long for Sabra Brueggen to make a big impact for the Osawatomie-Paola-Louisburg girls swim team.

Last Wednesday, the Louisburg freshman earned state qualification times in two events during the team’s home opener In Osawatomie.

Brueggen won the 50-yard freestyle in 26.04 seconds and later captured the 100 backstroke in 1:03.82 to qualify for state in both events

“Sabra comes to our OzPaLou team and brings a ton of talent and experience with her,” coach Mary Argeropoulos said. “We are looking forward to seeing her excel in her choice of events this year as she continues to improve her personal best times. She has set a goal to place in the top 5 in the state meet.   Sabra certainly is a boost to our team and will play a big role in inching our relays towards state times as well.”

As a team, the Miami County squad finished second in their home opener by three points to Topeka-Hayden, 481-478.

Although there are only 10 swimmers on the team this year, including five from Louisburg, Argeropoulos is excited to see the girls compete this season.

“We are looking forward to building on traditions from past years,” she said. “We have three strong senior girls leading our team. We have one junior, two sophomores, and four freshmen out this season and each girl is pulling their weight for the team. We expect to see lots of personal records set for the season and are looking to post some qualifying and consideration times for state.”

Junior Dana Mattison returns as the eldest member of the team from Louisburg and is joined by Brueggen, sophomore Ashley Branine and freshmen Cadence Weichart and Janie Harth.

On Wednesday, Brueggen also helped a pair of relays to victories as well. Brueggen, along with Emma Johnson, Addie Stuebner and Branine won the 200-yard medley relay in 2:13.94.

Mattison, Branine, Weichart and Brueggen won the 200 freestyle relay in 1:59.73, while Bri Shippy, Weichart, Harth and Stuebner won the 400 freestyle relay in 4:58.72.

Branine won a pair of individual events as she took first in the 100 freestyle (1:06) and 100 breaststroke (1:29)

Mattison also won two events as she took first in the 500 freestyle in 6:56 and the 200 individual medley in 2:53.

Stuebner and Harth were second and third, respectively, in the 50 freestyle. Shippy was second in the 500 freestyle and Stuebner was runner-up in the 100 backstroke. Johnson took second in the 100 breaststroke.

Osawatomie-Paola-Louisburg is back in action today in Topeka.