MADISON — Platteville’s Melanie Schaefer closed out her 2013 season by making her first individual appearance at the WIAA  Division 2 state swimming meet — and third overall Friday at the UW-Natatorium.
The Platteville junior swam to a ninth-place finish in the 100-yard freestyle in 55.26 seconds.
Earlier in the meet she placed 13th in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 2:01.31. Schaefer set the Platteville/Lancaster record a week earlier (1:59.81) at the WIAA Division 2 Baraboo Sectional.
Schaefer was seeded ninth in both events entering the state meet.
“Melanie swam well on Friday night,” said Platteville/Lancaster head coach Liz Peters. “There was tough competition and she competed well.”
“Melanie is tough physically and mentally,” added Peters. “She is relentless when it comes to her training and she has a great attitude.”
Schaefer scored 13 team points, which was good for a 28th place team finish for Platteville/Lancaster.
Grafton dominated the race for the D2 team title with 286 points. DeForest finished a distant second with 202 points.
A year ago Schaefer qualified for state as a part of Platteville/Lancaster’s 200-yard freestyle relay and 400-yard freestyle relay. Both relays placed eighth.
As a freshman, Schaefer earned all-state honors as a part of Platteville/Lancaster’s fifth-place state 200-yard freestyle relay. She also swam on the 400-yard freestyle relay that placed 15th at state in 2011.
“This was the first time that Melanie qualified for state in an individual event,” added Peters. “This gives her experience and confidence when it comes to next year. In addition she should be able to lead her teammates by her work ethic and hopefully inspire them as well.”

WIAA D2 State Meet
(from Friday, Nov. 15  @ Madison)
Top 10 team scores: 1.Grafton 286, 2.DeForest 202, 3.Shorewood 188, 4.McFarland 184, 5.Ashwaubenon 171, 6.Fort Atkinson 134, 7.New Berlin Eisenhower 117, 8.Monona Grove 115.5, 9.Milton 96, 10.Edgewood 96....28.Platteville/Lancaster 13.
Platteville/Lancaster state qualifiers
200 freestyle — 13.Melanie Schaefer (P/L) 2:01.31. 100 freestyle — 9.Schaefer (P/L) 55.26.