Kingsford senior Sierra Scott competes in the 100 butterfly at the Northern Lights YMCA Dickinson Center on Dec. 17. Scott won Saturday’s 50 butterfly at the Gremlin Splash. (Ron Deuter photo)

HOUGHTON — The Kingsford swim team posted victories in 16 of 29 events at the Gremlin Splash on Saturday at Houghton High School, competing against swimmers from Houghton, Gladstone and Westwood.

In a medal meet format rather than points, the Flivvers captured 21 total gold medals, with multiple swimmers posting personal bests and top U.P. times.

“We had several outstanding performances,” Flivvers head coach Jim Lindstrom said. “The girls had a very good day with a lot of personal best times.”

Freshman Allison Deuter won both the 50 (26.69) and 100 (59.37) freestyle races, lowering her personal bests in both.

Her 50 free time leads all U.P. swimmers this season, and her 100 is second in the U.P.

She also added two more gold medals to her tally as part of the Flivvers’ 400 free and 200 medley relays.

Sophomore Ella McLean took gold in the 50 (36.24) and 200 (3:00.82) breaststroke and is the U.P. leader in both events.

McLean also swam on the winning 200 medley team for another gold.

“Deuter has only one loss all year, and McLean is really starting to round into form,” Lindstrom said.

“The girls are really starting to step it up for the last half of the season.”

Freshman Aubree Peterson set a season best with a win in the 50 backstroke with a time of 34.38, which ranks second in the U.P. so far this season. She also swam on the winning 400 relay.

Senior Sierra Scott was first and improved her 50 butterfly to 30.42, good for the second fastest in the U.P. this season.

Scott also swam on both the 400 free and 200 medley winning relays.

Senior Petra Grubb (400 free), and sophomore Olivia Sage (200 medley) also collected gold medals on the relay victories.

For the boys, freshmen Thomas Gibbons and Bryce Johnson (IMHS) came home with three golds each, taking time off on each event.

Gibbons won the 50 (31.37) and 200 breaststroke (2:43.49), with those times leading the U.P. this season. Johnson was first in the 50 (29.40) and 200 (2:20.36) backstroke – both times leading the U.P.

“Johnson has so far had an incredible first year,” Lindstrom said. “He has just taken over the backstroke. Gibbons is really improving in the breaststroke from last year.”

Gibbons and Johnson were also part of the Flivvers’ winning 200 medley relay team, joining junior Quinten Smith and senior Joey Lundholm.

Smith also won the 50 free in 25.82, while U.P. leader Lundholm posted a 27.30 to win the 50 butterfly.

“Smith has been recovering from shoulder surgery and has really come on these last few weeks,” Lindstrom said.

“We have some really fast boys, just not enough of them.”

Sam Lamirand took gold in the 200 free with a time of 2:16.87.

Coach Lindstrom also mentioned senior Justin Larson, a first-year swimmer, who swam a few 200 yard races for the first time and made third in the 200 back.

Kingsford heads to Westwood this afternoon.