Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Fort Dodge's Aiden Seagren competes against Mason City on Thursday in the Dodger pool. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

The Fort Dodge boys swim team treated their home crowd to a solid start in their home opener on Thursday.

The Dodgers hit the pool with momentum in the opening 200 medley relay, solidifying a first-place finish. The quartet of David Nelson, Aiden Seagren, Trevor Roberts and Jayden Stanley out-raced Mason City to the wall. Fort Dodge finished in 1:59.67, while the Riverhawks touched in 1:59.79.

“It was really nice to start the meet with a win,” said FDSH head coach Ashley Beaumont. “Our guys really swam well and they dropped some big time.

“We are mixing some kids around and trying to find the right combinations still. It’s very early.”

The Riverhawks picked up the meet victory by a final of 122-43.

Seagren was the runner up in the 500 freestyle in a time of 5:58.92.

“Aiden can compete with every single stroke,” Beaumont said. “He wanted to try something different (last night), and he swam really solid (in the 500) to meet his goal of getting under six minutes.

“He is a good leader and wants to try different things.”

The Dodgers brought home another silver spot, placing second in the 200 freestyle relay. Nelson, Stanley, Roberts and Seagren clocked a 1:46.42.

“The guys did well against some tough conference opponents,” Beaumont said. “We have work to do and need to get some speed going.”

Brek Pingel took third in the 200 freestyle (2:23.65), Nelson (1:08.24) earned bronze in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke (1:11.42), and Cael Hansen (1:24.28) was third in the 100 breaststroke.

The Dodgers are back in action on Saturday when they head to Boone for the Toreador Relays.