The Minnewaska Area Gators swimming and diving team opened up the season with a sixth-place finish at the Willmar Invitational, Friday.  The Gators, led by McKenzie Luetmer, totaled 192 points to place sixth of seven teams in a meet won by Melrose Area with 514 points.

The home opener for the Gators’ swim team is set for Tuesday, Aug. 30 against Litchfield, and the home opener in Morris is set for Thursday, Sept. 1 against Montevideo.

“I was very happy with how the Gators preformed at the first meet,” coach Sam Oellien said.  “We look forward to continuing this way going into next week’s home meets.”

at Willmar Invitational

McKenzie Luetmer had two thirds, a fifth and a sixth place finish to lead the Gators at their opening meet.  Luetmer placed third in the 200 meter freestyle with a time of 2:12.38 and was also third in the 100 freestyle (59.15).

In addition, she swam with Serena Mellgren, Makena Thoen and Melena Longtin on the way to a sixth in the 200 freestyle relay (1:51.36) and also placed fifth with the 400 freestyle relay team of Mellgren, Avery Svec and Longtin.

Melrose edged St. Cloud Tech for first place in the team standings (514-475) with Sauk Rapids third (439), Sauk Centre fourth (379), Willmar fifth (233), the Gators sixth (192) and Montevideo seventh