OSCODA – The Alpena High School girls swim team opened its season on Saturday with a Third-place finish at the Oscoda Invitational.

In total five teams competed in the event.

The Wildcats demonstrated depth and determination in their first meet, with both newcomers and returning swimmers making an early impact.

Freshman Brynn Beatty made an immediate splash, securing a 4th-place finish in the freestyle in the 200 medley relay, while also placing 5th in both the 50 and 100 freestyle events and 3rd in the 200 freestyle relay.

Junior Tryst Bukowiecki contributed with a 4th-place swim in the 200 medley relay’s butterfly leg, a 7th in the 200 IM, a 5th in the 100 butterfly, and a 3rd in the 200 freestyle relay.

Freshman Penelope Conboy impressed in her first high school meet, earning 4th place in the breaststroke leg of the 200 medley relay, 8th in the 200 IM, 4th in the 100 breaststroke, and 3rd in the 200 freestyle relay.

Junior Elizabeth Rabbideau, another key contributor, placed 4th in the medley relay’s backstroke leg, 10th in the 50 freestyle, 5th in the 500 freestyle, and 3rd in the 200 freestyle relay.

Sophomore Haley Stenz added points with 7th-place finishes in both the 50 and 100 freestyle, while also swimming to a 5th-place finish in the 400 freestyle relay alongside juniors Hailey Diemond, Olivia Sherwood, and Eva Trainer.

“The team worked hard and it showed with a 3rd place finish,” head coach Jennifer Johnson said. “This is an exciting and awesome beginning of the year.”

With a strong core of athletes and a large roster that blends experienced returners with promising newcomers, Alpena’s season goals center around steady progress and team unity.

“Our goals for the team this year are to start and finish each event with an impact,” Johnson explained. “Improving times and having a strong team dynamic will be imperative. With a large team, everyone’s contribution will be beneficial throughout the season. Providing positive and constructive feedback will promote an environment where swimmers can compete at the best of their abilities mentally and physically.”

This year’s team captains are senior Kaelyn Roznowski and juniors Rabbideau and Bukowiecki, who will lead a squad that returns several key swimmers including Hailey and Bailee Diemond, Madalyn Farley, Sherwood, Gabriella Tolan, Trainer, Annette Fairchild, Maddox McClintic, and Stenz. Fresh faces include Beatty, Conboy, Nandi Bancroft, Lucy Duthler, Jacquelyn Frantz, Ava Jacques, Jazzy Kowalski, Jazmyne Westfall, and Emma Winfield.

The Wildcats will look to carry their early momentum into their next meet, when they host Caro at the Plaza Pool on Tuesday, September 9, at 5 p.m.