Members of the Houghton boys swim team ready to start their meet’s final event, the 400-yard freestyle relay, at a meet held at Westwood High School on Tuesday. (Journal photo by Alexandria Bournonville)

ISHPEMING — Westwood High School’s swimming and diving teams opened their season by facing off against visiting Houghton at the Patriots’ pool on Tuesday afternoon.

Competition was fierce, but the sportsmanship of both teams were even fiercer.

Westwood won a close decision in the girls meet, 93-79, while Houghton took the boys meet with many more swimmers, 142-6.

“For our first meet, it went really well,” Houghton coach Erik Johnson said. “We got a few kids qualified (for the Upper Peninsula Finals) in events, a lot of kids swam events they’ve never swam before.

“We did a nice job cheering and that was our No. 1 goal today — supporting each other and supporting the other teams as they swam.”

Boys and girls relays, races and diving were showcased.

In the girls 500-yard freestyle, Houghton’s Kaci Dewar won in 7 minutes, 32.14 seconds, earning the Gremlins six points.

In the boys 500 free, Houghton’s Collin Raasio won in 6:47.48 while teammate Walter Dennis was runner-up in 7:43.21.

The divers in the girls meet competing included Westwood’s Faith Spiroff, Maggie Harvala and Emily Hytinen, along with Houghton’s Meg Ruohonen, Ahriana Olson and Ty Crisman. Crisman and Spiroff tied for that victory.

“Our returning diver from last year, Faith Spiroff, broke her record today,” Westwood diving coach Jenna Wealton said. “I’m really proud of (the team) and happy with the outcome of the meet.”

“I feel like we did very well,” Patriots head coach Stephanie Schmidt said. “We had a few kids qualify (for the finals) already.”

Baylie LaVigne and Libby Ollanketo both shown as strong swimmers for the Westwood girls team in this first meet.

LaVigne won the 50 free and 100 butterfly and participated in the winning 200 free relay, while Ollanketo won the girls 50 free, 100 breaststroke and swam in two winning relays.

The Patriots host their annual Westwood Relays at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Alexandria Bournonville can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206. Her email address is abournonville@miningjournal.net.