The Austin girls swim team capped a solid performance with an outstanding finish in a 96.5-89.5 win over Winona in Ellis Middle School Thursday.

Needing a victory in the last event to get their first team win of the season, the Packer 400-yard freestyle team of Averi Splinter, Helen Heimark, Lindsey Halsey and Brooke Johnson swam a first place race at a time of 3:54.41 — the best time Austin has put up in that race in years.

“It think that’s our best time in three years,” Splinter said. “This is what we needed for confidence. Everybody on this team is working so hard and to finally get a win shows some of the newer girls that it’s worth it.”

Splinter finished first in the 100-yard butterfly and the 50-yard freestyle while also swimming on the first place 200-yard individual medley relay team.

Brooke Johson also had a solid night for the Packers as she took first in the 100-yard backstroke and was on the 200-yard individual medley team.

“The transiton from one event to another, especially if they’re really close, is always really hard,” Johnson said. “But coach (Lynn Gulbrandson) does a good job of spacing us out pretty well. Relays are always more fun because you have people right there supporting you.”

While it’s still early in the season, Johnson said Austin is right where it needs to be.

“(The last race) was a great race and I’m so happy. It’s awesome to get our first win,” she said. “Right now we’re making sure our technique is perfect and our speed is at a point where we can start tapering.”

Heimark took first in the 200-freestyle and Kelli Bednar took first in the 100-yard breastroke for Austin.

AUSTIN RESULTS

200-yard individual medley relay: Brooke Johnson, Kelli Bednar, Averi Splinter, Lauren Edwards (first, 1:58.59); Tori Grev, Emily Johnson, Emily McAlister, Lindsey McAlister (third, 2:06.18); Jenna Baker, Lauren Stasi, Anna Smith, Mikayla Finney (fifth, 2:12.10)

200-freestyle: Helen Heimark (first, 2:08.42); Lindsey Halsey (third, 2:14.40); Amanda Zahradnik (fifth, 2:20.02)

200-yard individual medley: Merideth Fritz (second, 2:32.41); Toir Grev (fifth, 2:39.58)

50-yard freestyle: Averi Splinter (first, 25.90); Lauren Edwards (fourth, 27.80); Lindsey McAlister (sixth, 28.03)

Diving: Autumn Laury (second, 151.90); Corey Bailey (third, 142.10); Michelle Erdahl (fifth, 107.45)

100-yard butterfly: Averi Splinter (first, 1:02.34); Emily McAlister (fourth, 1:07.17); Anna Smith (fifth, 1:08.22)

100-yard freestyle: Kelli Bednar (third, 59.46); Mikayla Finney (fifth, 1:00.02); Brooke Johnson (sixth, 1:00.02)

500-yard frestyle: Helen Heimark (second, 5:48.98); Merideth Fritz (third, 6:02.55); Amanda Zahradnik (fourth, 6:12.28)

200-yard freestyle relay: Kelli Bednar, Lauren Edwards, Lindsey McAlister, Helen Heimark (second, 1:46.80); Mikayla Finney, Anan Smith, Megan Brown, Merideth Fritz (third, 1:53.03); Ashley Wilson, Emily Bachmeier, Emily McAlister, Heather Johnson (fifth, 1:56.75)

100-yard backstroke: Brooke Johnson (first, 1:05.24); Lindsey Halsey (fifth, 1:11.75); Tori Grev (sixth, 1:13.75)

100-yard breastroke: Kelli Bednar (first, 1:14.97); Emily Johnson (third, 1:19.59); Lauren Stasi (fifth, 1:27.32)

400-yard freestyle relay: Averi Splinter, Helen Heimark, Lindsey Halsey, Brooke Johnson (first, 3:54.51)