It wasn’t the season-opening victory the Sturgis girls swimming and diving team craved, but Thursday’s 95-88 loss to Otsego was dotted by strong performances by the Trojans.
Sydney Strawser won the 200-yard freestyle in a photo finish with a career-best time of 2:20.58 and set a new personal best in the 500 free (third place). Jessica Cline won both the 200 IM (2:28.49) and 100 breaststroke (1:18.16), Alea Penner took the top spot in diving and the 200 free relay of Cline, Penner, Cleanna Crabill and Anna Rueppel won in a time of 1:58.11.
“I couldn’t be happier with the girl’s performance tonight,” Sturgis coach Laura Penner said. “For the majority of the team this was their first high school meet and in many cases their first swimming/diving competition.”