LODI, Calif. – The St. Francis swimming team finished third overall at the Sac-Joaquin Section Championships contested Saturday at Tokay High School, finishing behind champion Granite Bay and Davis.

“Knowing how good Granite Bay and Davis were, the third-place finish as the top school among the rest felt pretty good,” said Head Coach Richard Levin. “We had some great performances in the relays, especially Emily Peters who swam an outstanding 50 leg in the 200 free relay. Katie McIntee led off two relays and was a trouper stepping into the spotlight.”

The 200 individual relay (Chloe Mitchell, Kristen Lance, Maddie Johnson, AnnClaire MacArt) opened the meet with a fourth-place finish in 1:49.22. The 200 free relay (Katie McIntee, Elizabeth Fugit, Emily Peters and Alexis Martinez) finished fifth (1:39.62), while the 400 free relay (McIntee, Mitchell, Johnson, MacArt) closed the meet. Maddie Johnson recorded a strong comeback leg and MacArt out-touched her opponent at the wall to clinch the third-place finish.

MacArt, who will swim at Dartmouth, recorded two top-five performances. She set the school record in the 200 freestyle, touching the wall in 1:51.59 to finish fifth, and was third in the 100 free in 52.02.

“I was a little off my best today but I was really happy with my performance in the 200,” said MacArt. “This is a good meet and I did not expect the school record. In the 100 free, it felt great. Anything I can do for the team, I am happy to do because I am so grateful to be part of the team and for everything they have done for me. The opportunity to swim for St. Francis is awesome.”

Johnson was fifth in the 100 fly in 57.33 and third in the consolation final of the 200 individual relay, as well as her relay swims.

“I moved up a spot in each (from prelims) in the IM and fly so that is good for the team,” said Johnson. “It is what we are here for at this point to get a few more points.”

Martinez, who will swim at Seattle, was fourth in the consolation 50 free, clocking a time of 25.29.

“It has been really hard coming off shoulder surgery last summer,” said Martinez. “It felt really good on my first 25 but coming back it felt really weak. Today is bitter sweet. I am happy to move on to bigger things but I am going to miss the St. Francis community and my coaches.”

Several other swimmers added to the team performance. Erin Crooks was sixth in the 100 fly consolation final with a time of 1:00.59. Tatum Roepke was fourth in the event in 59.18.

Sophomore Chloe Mitchell was seventh in the 500 free final in 5:02.51 and placed fifth in the consolation final of the 100 back in 1:00.88. Fugit was second in the 100 back in 1:00.17. Roepke and McIntee also scored in the 500 free, finishing fourth and seventh in the consolation final.

The Troubadours were led by a strong senior group but had several swims from a  younger group that will form the foundation for the future of the program.”

“The experience will help develop their swimming careers,” said Levin. “They can come back and know they can do it on this stage.”

The team will have their banquet at the school following finals on Tuesday.