Bow High School head swimming coach Joann Jackson had a goal for each of her teams heading into the 2007- ’08 Division II season. “Before the season started, I said that I wanted my boys to get a top-five finish, and my girls to get in the top 10,” said Jackson.

Jackson’s swimmers did not disappoint, as the boys grabbed a fourth-place finish and the girls took ninth during the state swimming competition in Durham on Saturday, Feb. 9.

In addition to the two solid team efforts, three Bow swimmers qualified for the New England championships after securing qualifying times during the Division II competition. Richard Jenkins, who won the 100-yard backstroke during his team’s fourth-place finish, qualified for the New England competition, as did Kyle VeLand and Kerry McCann.

Jenkins also came in fourth in the 200-yard freestyle.

VeLand posted a solid day, placing third in the 200-yard individual medley and second in the 100-yard butterfly. Mc- Cann notched a second-place finish in the 100-yard backstroke for the girls.

Bow’s efforts weren’t enough to overcome St. Thomas, which won the girls competition, and Oyster River, crowned Division II champion on the boys side.

Jackson said she was excited with the performances, as many of the swimmers achieved personal-best times.

At a higher level of competition such as the state meet, jitters often strike the swimmers.

“The kids have to keep the nerves in,” said Jackson. “Richard (Jenkins) was pacing up and down the pool trying to get the nerves out. Everyone gets them out in a different way. He was seeded first, which can be tough to be expected to win.”

In addition, the 200-yard medley relay team of Jenkins, VeLand, Peter Moore and Nick Normandin came in second, while the 400-yard relay group of Normandin, VeLand, Jenkins and Steve Bosse grabbed a third-place finish.

“The teams ahead of us had many more individuals qualify, so the points we got out of ours were great,” said Jackson.“The boys were the strength, and the girls produced even more than I expected going in to season.” Concord’s girls team placed 10th during the Division I meet.