Helen Heimark swims in the 400-yard freestyle relay consolation round. -- Brandi Hagen/Albert Lea Tribune

MINNEAPOLIS —  Austin senior Helen Heimark finished her high school swimming career in style and Austin junior Autumn Laury finished amongst the best divers in the state at the Class ‘A’ girls swimming and diving finals in the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center in Minneapolis Saturday.

Heimark, who finishes her career with 15 state appearances, reached the podium for the second time in her career as she finished seventh in the 100-yard freestyle and Laury, who was in her first career state meet, took third in diving.

Autum Laury twists during her second dive of the state finals Saturday in Minneapolis. -- Brandi Hagen/Albert Lea Tribune

Heimark swam a time of 53.98 seconds and Viren Solveig of Grand Rapids won the 100-free with a time of 51.13 seconds.

“It was nice to be on the podium individually. That’s never happened before. It’s a great sense of accomplishment,” Heimark said. “I’ve been coming to state for five years so I’ve kind of gotten into the feel of things. I’ve had practice.”

Laury surprised even herself with her finish as she tallied a score of 334.00. Bailey Dupay, a sophomore from Northfield, took first in diving with a score of 394.25 and Albert Lea senior Karli Kriewall took second with a score of 260.15.

“It’s pretty crazy,” Laury said. “I was just wanting to go out and do my best. I wasn’t even expecting that great of a title. I thought I would make top 16 but I didn’t think i would actually make the podium. I was more surprised than anything.”

Laury’s third place finish is the highest any Austin swimmer or diver has finished in at least six years at the state meet.

“It’s been so much work,” she said. “I started diving in March to prepare and I’ve worked with a bunch of coaches throughout the season to get my dives where they needed to be.”

The 400-yard freestyle relay team of Heimark, Merdieth Fritz, Maddie Kinney and Lindsey McAlister finished in 16th place with a time of 3:47.13.

RESULTS

Diving: Autumn Laury (third, 334.00)

100-yard freestyle: Helen Heimark (seventh, 53.98)

400-yard freestyle relay: Helen Heimark, Merideth Fritz, Maddie Kinney, Lindsey McAlister (16th, 3:47.13)