Who was the first female to break 50.00 in the 100 Free at the MSHSL State Meet?
The correct answer was Jennifer Riggs (Apple Valley ’98). She went 49.80 her senior year in route to her 4th consecutive state title. She went on to swim for Cal Berkley.     Â
Katie Seleskie (Hastings ’01) hit a best time her freshman year of 50.54. She went on to become state champion in the event in 2000 then continued her swimming career at Purdue University.
Erika Bass (Wayzata ’90) won state titles in 1988 and 1989 with a best time of 52.14. She swam collegiately at the University of Georgia. Erika owns several masters world records and at the age of 51 went 52.53 at the Spring Masters National in Irvine.
Trina Radke is a legendary age group swimmer in Minnesota and an Olympian (Seoul ’88), but she moved to Pennsylvania at the age of 13 and did not swim high school in the state.
To date, only eight athletes have broken the 50.00 barrier in girl’s high school swimming. Zoe Avestruz (Chanhassen ‘15) currently holds the record at 49.22. All amazing athletes that made great contributions to the history of Minnesota Swimming.Â