NEGAUNEE — The Ishpeming-Negaunee high school swimming and diving teams split their first meet of the season against Gladstone at Negaunee High School on Wednesday afternoon.

The I-N boys nipped the Braves 73-71, while the Gladstone girls prevailed in another close meet, 96-80.

The I-N teams also include swimmers and divers from Gwinn and Republic-Michigamme high schools.

A meet summary showed a total of 16 MHSAA Upper Peninsula Finals qualifiers based on times. The U.P. Finals are held at Marquette Senior High School in mid-February.

In the boys meet, the I-N Gators only won four events, instead using their depth to pull out the victory.

From I-N, Blake Holmgren had a hand in two victories, taking the 100-yard butterfly in 1:13.31 while swimming a leg of the victorious 400 freestyle relay in 4:24.56.

Joining Holmgren on the relay were Alex Ossenheimer, Joey Giroux and Bryce Foisie.

The Gators’ Caden Steele won the 100 breaststroke in 1:21.25 as both he and Holmgren in the 100 fly were U.P. Finals qualifiers.

In addition, I-N’s Alec Arvon won boys diving with 143.65 points.

In the girls meet, I-N had one winner, Amara Rasmussen in the diving with 165.9 points.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.