Chris Hagan
Review Staff Writer
A fifth-place overall team finish at Saturday’s Oakland County championship meet has put Lake Orion’s girls swim team in a competitive position to continue its climb.
During the diving competition senior captain Abigail Slater and sophomore Coleen Campbell went up against divers with stronger depth and more experience. Campbell placed 20th overall while Slater finished 32nd.
Despite the diving standings, Coach Darin Abbasse, walked away positive given their experience with diving.
‘It was still a great experience for the girls who are still pretty new at the diving competition,? Abbasse said. They’re seasonal divers going up against kids who dive year round so just to make it to the county championships is a nice compliment to them.
Saturday brought with it a resurgence of energy and a hunger for competition. The girls swam for an impressive eight Top 10 finishes throughout 12 events.
Freshman Claire Abbassee was the team’s only individual champion beating out Sophia Schott from Bloomfield Hills – Marian by only .05 seconds in the 100-yard freestyle. She also took 2nd in the 50-yard freestyle while teammate and sister, Kirstyn, placed third overall in the 200-yard freestyle and 10th overall in the 500 freestyle.
The team also tied Farmington Hills Mercy for second in the 200-yard freestyle relay qualifying them for the state championship. They also placed third in the 400-yard freestyle.
‘It was really a good barometer to see where our team is amongst the state rankings and the girls didn’t disappoint me one bit,? Abbasse said. ‘For them to qualify means the future is bright for the relay for the following years.?
The team will continue having its 5:30am practices along with after school workouts as they the prepare for the few meets left in the season.
Thursday the Dragons have a meet against Rochester Adams which Abbasse knows is going to be a tough battle.
‘They’re the team to beat in the OAA Red and we’re looking at putting the challenge to the girls and to them to really compete,? he said. It’s a lot of work putting your nose to the grindstone and working on techniques that over time, shave off a lot of time on starts, turns and finishes.?