The MSMS swim team traveled to Delta State University for North Half on Oct. 4, where nine swimmers secured spots for the state meet in Tupelo on Oct. 18.

Goen/Frazer team captain Cassie van Riessen said she was happy with the team’s results, with the Frazer/Goen group placing first, and the Frazer/Goen team placing second.

Juniors Katie Chung, Sam Diamond, Cathy Shao and Jordyn Taylor placed first in the girls’ 200-yard medley relay, while Chung, Diamond, Shao and Tay Tay Uppu placed first in the girls’ 200-yard freestyle relay.

“I don’t think the girls have won first overall in a while at North Half,” Taylor said. “That’s a pretty big accomplishment.”

Shao placed first in the girls’ 100-yard backstroke with a time of 1:14.55. Chung and junior Maya Venkat placed first and second in the girls’ 100-yard butterfly, respectively. Junior Jeffery Kong and captain John Broome placed second and third in the boys’ 50-yard freestyle, respectively.

Junior Daniel Hu said he did well in the boys’ 100-yard breaststroke and 100-yard butterfly, with a time of 58.53.

“I dropped time on my butterfly, which I’m proud of, and it motivates me for [the state meet],” Hu said. 

Taylor said the most fun part of North State was bonding with her teammates. 

“We talked a lot more,” Taylor said, “and after [the meet], we went out to eat and had froyo, which was really nice.”

Taylor and van Riessen said they should practice more and focus on their health before the state meet.

“We should show up more to practice, eat a bit lighter and have good mental mindsets,” Taylor said.

“As a team, if we consistently practice until state, we should be good,” van Riessen added.