CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — The Carl Junction Bulldogs girls' swim team had a strong showing at the Ozarks Invitational on Jan. 10, finishing fifth overall in a competitive field of more than a dozen teams.
The Bulldogs accumulated 209 team points, placing them behind only powerhouse programs Glendale (275), West Plains (256), Republic (238), and Park Hill (218), while edging out Monett (198) in the final standings. The meet featured strong competition from across the Ozarks region, with several teams posting state-consideration qualifying times.
Carl Junction's top individual highlight came from Elsa Dogotch, who dominated the 100-yard breaststroke with a winning time of 1:11.11 — earning a state-consideration mark and 20 points for her team. Dogotch also contributed to the Bulldogs' success in other events, including a strong fourth-place finish in the 200-yard medley relay alongside teammates Donalise Fifer (butterfly), Madelyn Moritz (breaststroke), and Emma Graham (freestyle). The "A" relay team clocked 2:04.73, securing state-consideration and 32 points.
In the 100-yard freestyle, Dogotch again shone with a fourth-place finish in 58.38 — another state-consideration time — demonstrating her versatility as one of the meet's standout swimmers.
The Bulldogs' 400-yard freestyle relay team of Via Dennis, Moritz, Bridget Emerson, and Dogotch delivered a solid fourth-place performance in 4:08.75, adding 30 valuable points. Their 200-yard freestyle relay "A" squad (Graham, Sophia Lacey, Emerson, and Fifer) placed fifth in 1:54.64, also qualifying for state consideration.
Moritz added individual points with a fourth-place finish in the 200-yard individual medley (2:34.69) and a ninth-place showing in the 100-yard freestyle (1:02.67). Other notable Carl Junction contributors included Emerson (ninth in 200 IM), Lacey (multiple relay legs and points in butterfly), and the "B" relays, which provided depth in scoring.
While Glendale claimed the team title and Republic's Ava Brown excelled with multiple top finishes, Carl Junction's balanced attack — highlighted by Dogotch's victories and multiple top-five relay performances — positioned the Bulldogs as a serious contender heading into the postseason.