Cove’s Kenzy Spence picked up a personal best time in the 100-meter backstroke on Jan. 20, 2024, at the Molalla Invitational.

MOLALLA — The area’s two local swim teams decided on different courses of action as Cove and La Grande joined approximately 230 high school swimmers on Saturday, Jan. 20, for the Molalla Invitational.

Preliminary races were held in the morning with those qualifying swimming in the finals later in the day. The La Grande team made the decision to depart due to weather and road conditions upon completion of the preliminary swims. Cove made the decision to remain for the finals with the Cove girls placing fourth in the team standings after the meet was completed.

For the Leopards, Warren Wilson and Kenzy Spence swam personal season bests in at least one of their events.

The finals saw Becca Koza place second in the 200-meter individual medley and win the 100-meter freestyle race. Not to be outdone, Sarah Koza grabbed the top spot in the 50-meter freestyle followed up with an additional first place in the 100-meter breaststroke.

Both La Grande and Cove will have a shorter drive on Jan. 27 as the Tigers host both Cove and Baker.