On Saturday, November 8, the HHS varsity swim and dive team competed in the section tournament at the Arte Downey Aquatic Center in Edina.

Molly Meland, eighth grader at NJH, and Ari Brace, senior, advanced to the state preliminary finals this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at the University Aquatic Center at the University of Minnesota. Meland will be swimming the 100 fly and Brace will be diving for the Royals.

As a team, the Royals placed sixth in the section meet behind Edina, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Minneapolis Southwest and St. Louis Park

“There was a lot of positive energy,” Elyse Friedman, junior, said. “Junior varsity came to support us, parents were there and it was a great experience.”

During sections both Meland and Brace broke school records. Meland broke the HHS school record with a 58:48 record, placed fifth in sections. Brace broke Edina’s pool record with a score of 498.45 points, placed first place.

“I’m very proud of Molly and Ari,” Friedman said. “They’ve worked hard all season and really deserve it.”

Meland and Brace will have to advance out of the preliminary round and semifinal round in order to get to the state finals, which is the top 8 swimmers and divers.