Como Park senior Aleia Lueck entered Friday’s Class A state meet with the fifth-fastest time in the 50-yard freestyle.
Coming off a “disappointing” state meet a year ago, there was a little extra motivation this time around at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatics Center in Minneapolis.
Lueck dropped 0.62 seconds from her section 4A finals swim and topped the competition with a 23.60 finish. It was a feat Lueck said still doesn’t “feel real,” and that she intends to use as a motivational in Saturday’s finals.
“It’s just such a big drop, and I haven’t dropped in the 50 (freestyle) in two years,” Lueck said. “So, when I saw it on the board, it was pretty crazy.”
Biegler sets 200 free record
Moticello’s junior Adalynn Biegler, who set the state record in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle last year, switched up her events in 2025 and excelled, finishing first in both the 200-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly.
On top of qualifying ahead of the pack, Biegler set a new 200 freestyle Class A record. Biegler posted a 1:47:36, a time that broke a decade-long record (1:47:72) set by Visitation’s Abbie Dolan on Nov. 19, 2015.
Biegler dropped a whopping 4 seconds from a sections swim. She said she liked the change in events and was happy with the performance.
“It’s fun getting out there and breaking records in events other than the 50 and 100,” she said.
Miller qualifies for two
Visitation’s junior Merry Miller, the favorite to win the 100-yard breaststroke, placed first in the prelims with a time of 1:04:85. She also qualified for Saturday’s finals in the 200-yard IM, finishing fifth overall.
Miller said she’s had a solid season and wants to finish strong.
“I’m confident in trying to go faster, having fun out there and being proud at the end of the day,” she said.
Visitation as a team had won 10 consecutive state titles before its streak ended last fall. Miller said every team is “unique” and she’s excited about this group heading into the finals.
Biebl sets the pace
Mounds Park Academy’s senior Alaina Biebl came into the prelims as the favorite to win the 100-yard backstroke and the 200-yard IM. Biebl successfully staved off the competition in the 100 backstroke with a time of 57:20 while slotting in behind St. Cloud Apollo’s Izzy Westling in the 200 IM.
Biebl said a main takeaway from the prelims is that she has room for growth and will work out the details for her swim in the finals on Saturday. Biebl also led the way for the Panthers’ 200-yard medley relay, which wrapped up as the top qualifiers with a 1:47:78 finish.
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