LODI – Qualifying high school swimmers gathered at Tokay High for the Sac-Joaquin Section girls trials, and a host of area athletes put together some of the season’s best races Thursday during the first day of the three-day championship event.

The preliminaries for boys take place today.

East Union had six swimmers compete in the trials, with Jannelle Macedo leading the way with a 14th overall finish in the 200 IM, earning a berth in Saturday’s consolation finals. Macedo also swam to a personal best in the 500 free, finishing in 5:45.97.

The Lancers also got strong showings from Kimmy LaMar, Ann Drum, Amanda Sokolowski, Hayley Boyd and Julia de Groot. De Groot, who was plagued by injuries throughout the season, forfeited competing in the 500 free and 200 IM, to help teammates in the 200 Medley and 400 free relays to season best times in both events.

Sierra saw swimmers improve times in five different events, with the 200 Medley relay squad shaving nearly three seconds off their season best time. Rachel Holmstrom improved in the 200 free and the 100 fly, finishing 26th and 22nd in each event, respectively.

Teammate Marissa Machado was all effort for the Timberwolves, competing in the 100 breast, along with teaming up for the 200 Medley and 400 free relays.

“Marrisa had the race she was kind of upset about with the 100 breast,” Sierra head coach Dave Breitenbucher said. “I went to her and said how proud of her I was for coming back and stepping up for her teammates.

“She could have just said no I’m done, but she went out and swam one of her best times.”

Manteca’s 200 medley relay competed in the trials as well, closing out the season and not advancing to the tournament’s championship finale.