LODI, Calif. – Juniors Emily Peters and Chloe Mitchell both qualified for the first CIF State Championships and the St. Francis swimming team placed fourth overall in the varsity meet at the Sac-Joaquin Section Swimming Championships held at Tokay High School.

“I love that aspect about swimming as a sport,” said Peters. “We individually represent our team but score points for the St. Francis community and represent St. Francis and what is means to be a Troubie.”

Peters qualified to swim at next week’s state championships in the 50 freestyle after her sixth-place finish in time of 24.29.

“It is nice to have the opportunity to go to a state championship,” said Peters. “Normally, the season ends here. It is nice to see people move on, perform their best and represent the section and especially St. Francis.”

Peters also finished second in the consolation final of the 100 freestyle, clocking a time of 53.84.

“There was ups and downs but both of the felt pretty strong,” said Peters of her two swims. “Everyone is dropping time and our whole team is doing fantastic.”

Mitchell swam a personal-best in the 500 freestyle for the second straight race, finishing fourth with a time of 4:56.05. The time was an automatic qualifier for the state.

“It feels great,” said Mitchell. “I had a rough start in the 200 free (1:53.60) and really had to rally for the 500 free to pull it out of nowhere. I had never been under 5:00 before Thursday and do go under again further is fantastic.”

Mitchell will not swim at the state meet due to a family conflict but is excited to have qualified.

“I am bummed out I am missing out on states but I am really excited about this summer, gearing up for some pretty fast swimming,” said Mitchell.

The three varsity relays all posted improved times in the finals, finishing sixth in the 200 medley relay, fifth in the 200 free relay and seventh in the 400 free relay.

Katie McIntee was third in the 200 free consolation final (1:53.64) and fifth in the 100 free final (53.00), while junior Erin Crooks was seventh in the 200 IM consolation race in 2:12.37 and third in the 100 butterfly consolation final (58.51). Junior Elizabeth Fugit swam a 1:58.95 in the 200 freestyle to touch eighth in her consolation final and junior Tatum Roepke was eighth in the 100 fly consolation final (1:00.65). Senior Kristen Lance completed her career with a seventh-place finish in the 100 breaststroke.

The Troubies were represented by several quality performances at the Frosh/Soph level, showcasing the depth and future of the team in the pool. Sophomore Fiona Dodson swam in the 200 freestyle (2:01.76) and 200 IM consolation finals, finishing sixth and eighth. Gates was fourth in the 500 free consolation final (25.74) and fifth in the 100 butterfly (1:01.89). Freshman Emily Bartylla posted a 5:23.26 in the 500 freestyle and 1:11.79 in the 100 breaststroke, while Taylor Koewler was third in the final of the 100 butterfly in 59.14 and won the consolation final  in the 200 IM.

Sac-Joaquin Section Varsity Individual Finalists

200 Free Consolation Final – 2. Chloe Mitchell, 1:53.60; 3. Katie McIntee, 1:53.64, 15. 8. Elizabeth Fugit, 1:58.95; 200 IM Consolation Final – 11. Erin Crooks, 2:12.33; 50 Free – 6. Emily Peters, 24.29; 100 Fly Consolation Final – 7. Erin Crooks, 58.51, 8. Tatum Roepke, 1:00.65; 100 Free Final – 5. Katie McIntee, 53.00; 100 Free Consolation Final– 2. Emily Peters, 53.84; 500 Free Final – 4. Chloe Mitchell, 4:56.05; 100 Breast Consolation Final– 16. Kristen Lance, 1:09.83.

Sac-Joaquin Section Varsity Relay Finalists

200 Medley Relay – 6. 1:49.54; 200 Free Relay – 5. 1:40.91; 400 Free Relay – 7. 3:35.69.

Sac-Joaquin Section Frosh/Soph Individual Finalists

200 Free Consolation Final – 6. Fiona Dodson, 2:01.76; 200 IM Consolation Final – 1. Taylor Koewler, 2;14.43; 8. Fiona Dodson, 2:20.88; 50 Free Consolation Final – Samantha Gates, 25.74; 100 Fly Final – 3. Taylor Koewler, 59.14; 100 Fly Consolation Final – Samantha Gates, 1:01.89; 500 Free Conolation Final – 5. Emily Bartylla, 5:23.26; 100 Breast Consolation Final – 5. Emily Bartylla, 1:11.79.

Sac-Joaquin Section Frosh/Soph Relay Finalists

200 Medley Relay – 5. 1:55.51; 200 Free Relay – 5. 1:47.87; 400 Free Relay – 4. 3:45.19.