The West Bloomfield Lady Lakers battled Royal Oak in a close meet Thursday night, ultimately falling just short by a score of 96–90. Although the Lakers didn't get the team victory, there were plenty of positives to take away from the night. From strong performances at the top of the lineup to personal best and season best times throughout the team, West Bloomfield continued to show its depth and improvement. Leading the way was Alexis Conkey, who turned in two of the team's top performances. Conkey posted an impressive 1:06.25 in the 100 Breaststroke and followed it with a 2:16.13 in the 200 Individual Medley. She also anchored the 400 free relay right after coming off the 100 breaststroke and touching out Royal Oak to capture a 1st place by .08 seconds. Her leg of the race time was a 58.21. Piper Smith had another outstanding night, recording three top team performances. Smith went a 56.83 leading off the winning 400 free relay, 26.41 in the 50 Freestyle, and 1:02.99 in the 100 Butterfly, with her butterfly time also marking a season best. One of the most impressive stories of the night comes from freshman Zoe Stander. Known primarily as a sprinter, Stander has been showing that she can do much more than just dominate the shorter events. She posted a 5:31.52 in the 500 Freestyle which was a personal best time, followed by another win in the 100 backstroke (1:07.73), and then contributing to a win in the 400 free relay with a time of 56.82. Her continued success in the 500 and 100 backstroke demonstrates the versatility and range she brings to the table. Keira Pratt continued to provide strong performances in the freestyle events, recording a 2:07.32 in the 200 Freestyle and a 5:44.71 in the 500 Freestyle. Jesse Conkey also had a strong night, posting a 27.07 in the 50 Freestyle and a 1:00.26 in the 100 Freestyle. Adriana Nunez showed much improvement in her under water racing finishing her 100 butterfly with a time of 1:05.52, just off her personal best. She also supported the team with a 3rd place finish in the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:14.55. West Bloomfield also had a strong showing on the diving board. Lucy Harmala captured 1st place with 192.50 points, while Miriam William finished 2nd with 144.05 points marking a new personal best. Mia Gidcumb added a 5th-place finish with 89.40 points. In a meet decided by just six points, every swim, dive, and point mattered. While the Lakers came up short on the scoreboard, the continued improvement throughout the lineup is a great sign for the weeks ahead. The season is young, and this team is continuing to get better every time they step on the blocks. Top 10 Performances based on NISCA powerpoints 1. Alexis Conkey 100 Breast 1:06.25 2. Alexis Conkey 200 IM 2:16.13 3. Piper Smith 100 Free 56.83 4. Zoe Stander 500 Free 5:31.52 5. Piper Smith 50 Free 26.41 6. Piper Smith 100 Fly 1:02.99 7. Jesse Conkey 50 Free 27.07 8. Keira Pratt 200 Free 2:07.32 9. Keira Pratt 500 Free 5:44.71 10. Jesse Conkey 100 Free 1:00.26 Personal Bests 1. Persia Arghavani 100 Breast 1:32.58 2. Abby Rubinstein 100 Back 1:33.04 3. Hannah Pawlety 50 Free 33.23 4. Alexis Conkey 200 IM 2:16. 13 5. Kara Zoladz 200 IM 2:49.78 6. Zoe Stander 500 Free 5:31.52 7. Camille Swailes 50 Back 40.44 8. Miriam William 50 Free 32.57 Season Best 1. Ellie Mack 100 Breast 1:29.29 2. Winnie Washington 100 Breast 1:36.44 3. Persia Arghavani 50 Free 34.48 4. Elllie Mack 50 Free 32.80 5. Logan Zdyrski 50 Free 30.89 6. Piper Smith 100 Fly 1:02.99 7. Keira Pratt 50 Back 31.16 Coach Ronson & Coach Casey