Eight all-State performances propel Marian to 3rd place at MHSAA Finals

ROCHESTER – East Grand Rapids stole the show yesterday winning seven of 12 events at the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Division 3 meet at Oakland University.

The Pioneers scored 420 points, nearly double that of second-place Cranbrook on their way to the school's seventh title over the last eight seasons.

Winners of the Division 3 state championship a year ago (East Grand Rapids competed in, and won, Division 2 in 2022), Marian finished just behind Cranbrook with 214 points and ahead of Milan (163).

The Mustangs' ten qualifiers represented more than half their total team. Although small in number, Marian posted some monster swims including several all-state performances, including all three relays and five individual swims.

Freshman Meghan Bluethmann led the scoring for Marian, tallying 29 teams points while senior Lily Low recorded 25 team points. Marianna Becharas (18 points) and Grace Dery (16 points) also helped lead the scoring effort for the Mustangs.

COMPLETE RESULTS

• 200-yard Medley Relay (Meghan Bluethmann, Marianna Becharas, Lily Low, Axelle Ballarin) – 1:49.78 (4^th Place – ALL STATE)
• 200-yard Freestyle: Lena McKenney – 9^th Place (1:59.25)
• 200-yard Freestyle: Stella Glorio – 16^th Place (2:04.09)
• 200-yard Individual Medley: Marianna Becharas – 8^th Place ALL STATE (2:15.84)
• 200-yard Individual Medley: Grace Dery – 9^th Place (2:15.34)
• 50-yard Freestyle: Lily Low – 9^th Place (24.64)
• 100-yard butterfly: Lily Low – 3^rd Place ALL STATE (58.40)
• 100-yard Freestyle: Meghan Bluethmann – 4^th Place ALL STATE (52.48)
• 500-yard Freestyle: Stella Glorio – 6^th Place ALL STATE (5:22.11)
• 500-yard Freestyle: Grace Dery – 10^th Place (5:27.58)
• 500-yard Freestyle: Axelle Ballarin – 12^th Place (5:30.23)
• 200-yard Freestyle relay (Low, Becharas, Ballarin, McKenney) – 1:40.76 (2^nd Place – ALL STATE)
• 100-yard Backstroke: Meghan Bluethmann – 5^th Place ALL STATE (59.24)
• 100-yard Backstroke: Alyssa Kaitner – 13^th Place (1:01.82)
• 100-yard Breaststroke: Marianna Becharas – 10^th Place (1:09.36)
• 400-yard Freestyle relay (Ballarin, McKenney, Kaitner, Bluethmann) – 3:38.73 (4^th Place – ALL STATE)