Eisenhower finishes impressive fifth at state

Senior Alli Bellford led New Berlin Eisenhower to a fifth-place finish out of 37 teams on Friday at the WIAA Division 2 Girls Swimming & Diving Meet at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Natatorium.

Milton scored 236 points to win the state championship, followed by Shorewood (193), Deforest (159), Plymouth (153) and Eisenhower (147).

Bellford, the state's defending champion in the 50-yard freestyle, battled sophomore Kristin Malone of Shorewood in both her individual events.

She did defend her title in the 50 freestyle, finishing in 23.43, ahead of Malone, who finished in 23.50. But Malone won the 100-free in 51.33 to keep Bellford from winning her second event, as she finished in 52.37.

"That was her goal (to defend her title) and she went out there and got it," Eisenhower coach Elizabeth Rohde said. "She has probably one of the best work ethics of the entire team. She does everything to a 'T.' You ask her to do something and she does it."

Bellford talked about winning consecutive titles.

"I knew the 50 was tough, but I didn't know how tough," she said. "It was my whole goal. That's what I was shooting for. I was excited, relieved. I guess all season that was my goal and I finally got it - back-to-back (championships)."

Bellford might not have been nervous about battling Malone, but her coach was.

"That was nerve-wracking," Rohde said, "but (Bellford) came out strong."

Bellford was also happy for her entire team and their impressive showing.

"It was just so awesome," she said. "In my four years, this was our team's biggest (contingent) at the state meet, so I was happy for everyone on the team."

Eisenhower's 200-free relay of junior Sam Rottel, sophomore Steffi Durley, freshman Nicole Bellford and Alli Bellford had an impressive third-place performance (1:39.86).

Rottel had a busy day, finishing eighth in the 50-free (24.56), ninth in the 100-free (54.10) and also leading off the sixth-place 400-free relay with Durley, Nicole Bellford and Alli Bellford (3:39.24).

"Sam Rottel picked it up for us, in the 50-free, 100-free and she led off both relays," Rohde said.

Alli Bellford praised Rottel, Durley and her sister, Nicole, for their performances.

"I was really happy for Sam, Steffi, Nicole," she said. "Everyone was successful."

"I was more than happy with our team's performance," Rohde said. "We moved up from eighth place last year and, with all the swimmers we had, I expected it.

Senior Leah Fraleigh fifth finished fifth in the 1-meter diving (325.55 points), Durley was eighth in 100 butterfly (59.98) and ninth in the 100-free (54.10) and Nicolle Bellford took 10th in 100-fly (1:00.52).

Rohde was pleased with her team's performance."

"We came into the meet strong and left strong. They all got their best times and I was more than happy with the outcome of the meet."

STATE SWIM

Division 2. Saturday

UW-Madison Natatorium

Team Scores

1. Milton 236; 2. Shorewood 193; 3. Deforest 159; 4. Plymouth 153; 5. New Berlin Eisenhower 147; 6. Fort Atkinson 144; 7. Ashwaubenon 133; 8 (tie). Grafton and Elkhorn 108; 10. Whitefish Bay 100;

11. Sturgeon Bay/Sevastopol 97; 12. Madison Edgewood 78; 13. New Berlin West 71; 14. Brown Deer/ University School 61; 15. Wauwatosa West 59; 16. Catholic Memorial 54; 17. Platteville/Lancaster 44; 18. Sauk Prairie 41; 19 (tie). River Falls. Whitewater and River Valley 37; 22 (tie). Lodi and Marinette 29;

24. Whitnall 26; 25. Pewaukee 23; 26. Kiel/Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah 19; 27 (tie). Monroe and Baraboo 18; 29. Tomahawk 17; 30 (tie). Monona Grove and Seymour 11; 32. Port Washington 9; 33. Milw. Pius 7; 34. Menomonie 5; 35. Delavan-Darien 3; 36. Lakeland 2; 37. McFarland 1.