Alpena finishes third at ISC championships
Trending
STANDISH - The Alpena Wildcats girls swimming and diving team earned third place at the 2026 ISC Swimming and Diving Championships, scoring 314 points over two days of competition.
John Glenn claimed the title with 570.5 points, followed by Ogemaw Heights (342). Alpena finished ahead of Alma (239), Caro (182), Essexville Garber (175.5), Standish-Sterling Central (162) and Oscoda (111). Preliminaries were held Friday, Nov. 6, at Standish-Sterling High School, with finals Saturday, Nov. 7, at Fenton High School.
"These two days were a great representation of the work and commitment this team has put in throughout the season," Alpena coach Jennifer Johnson said. "Finishing third in the conference is a tremendous accomplishment, and it reflects the contributions of every athlete on this team."
Senior Tryst Bukowiecki led Alpena's individual efforts, placing third in the 100-yard butterfly and fourth in the 50-yard freestyle. Junior Haley Stenz added a fifth-place finish in the 50 free and seventh in the 100 free, recording personal records in both.
Sophomore Penelope Conboy placed eighth in the 200-yard individual medley and fifth in the 100-yard breaststroke (PR). Sophomore Jacquelyn Frantz finished 10th in the 200 free and sixth in the 100 breast. Junior Arabella Nunez was seventh in the 100 fly (PR) and 11th in the 200 free (PR).
"I was extremely proud of the number of swimmers who qualified for finals, the personal records achieved, and the way our athletes competed for one another," Johnson said.
Other notable finals performances included sophomore Emma Winfield (ninth, 50 free, PR), senior Eva Trainer (10th, 100 fly, PR), senior Gabriella Tolan (11th, 200 IM, PR; 10th, 100 breast, PR), sophomore Lucy Duthler (12th, 100 fly, PR) and sophomore Emma Darga (12th, 50 free, PR). Senior Madelyn Farley also recorded a PR in the 500 free.
Alpena's relays contributed significantly. The 200 medley relay of Conboy, Frantz, Bukowiecki and Stenz placed fifth, while the 200 freestyle relay of Stenz, Conboy, Winfield and Bukowiecki took fourth. The 400 free relay of Winfield, Nunez, Ellie Quick and Darga finished sixth with a PR. A second medley relay (Quick, Tolan, Trainer, Darga) placed 10th with a PR, and a second 200 free relay (Nunez, Duthler, Trainer, Frantz) was eighth with a PR.
Numerous Wildcats advanced from preliminaries and posted personal records, including Conboy and Tolan in the 200 IM, Stenz and Quick in the 50 free, Duthler in the 100 fly and 100 back, and several others in freestyle and breaststroke events. Sophomore Jazmyne Westfall and junior Maddox McClintic also recorded PRs despite not advancing to the top 16.
"Championship meets require focus, determination, and the ability to step up when opportunities present themselves," Johnson said. "Our swimmers continued to support one another and compete with pride."
Johnson also recognized assistant coach Elizabeth Jacques for her dedication and contributions throughout the season.
"A special thank you goes out to all the families and friends who supported the Wildcats throughout the season," Johnson said. "Your encouragement, enthusiasm, and continued support made a tremendous difference to this team. Whether cheering from the stands, helping behind the scenes, or supporting the swimmers throughout their season, your contributions did not go unnoticed."