February 19, 2016 at 4:40 p.m.
Rhinelander Swim Club finishes second at conference meet
Rhinelander Swim Club finishes second at conference meet
Nine-year-old Abi Winnicki broke two conference records during the meet with her first-place finishes in the 500-yard freestyle (6:30.12) and 200 individual medley (2:40.02). James Heck,10, made a state qualifying cut in the 50 butterfly for the 10 and under group with a time of 35.79. Jack Antonuk, 11, also made a state qualifying cut in the 50 fly for the 11-12 age group with a time of 32.04.
"It was a very exciting meet both on Saturday and Sunday," Rhinelander Swim Club coach Ken Heck said. "A lot of races were very close but the hard work during practices really showed as the Hodags swimmers were able to post many best times and either winning or placing in the top to gain points for the team. This is one of the best finishes for RSC at the Championship meet that I can remember. I think that having junior high and senior high school girl swimmers joining the team after their season was over was a real bonus, getting points in the 15+ age group, where we may not have had anyone swimming, definitely helped the team overall. We realize that their season can seem rather long after regular high school and junior high season is over but we try to make sure the swimmers are having fun and continuing to enjoy the sport."
The Hodags had 17 relays entered into the meet and every one of those relay teams racked up points to get the final tally. Medals were awarded for first- through sixth-place, with seventh-through 12th-place earning ribbons (see sidebar for results).
Over the course of the 2015-16 season six RSC swimmers made state cut times in their age groups - Jack Antonuk, Charlie Heck, James Heck, Madelyn Mathwig, Abi Winnicki and Makenna Winnicki. Antonuk, James Heck and Abi Winnicki will compete in the 12 & under meet Feb. 26-27 in Madison. Ethan Brown will be representing the Rhinelander Swim Club via the Northern Lakes Aquatic Club at the 13 and over state meet on March 4 in the 100 fly.
Nineteen swimmers have made cuts throughout the year that qualify them to participate in the Midwest Regional swim meet which will be held April 2-3 at the University of Minnesota. They are Maddie Quinn, Samson Shinners, Lisa Kennedy, Maddie Mathwig, Jacob Schoppe, Annalyse Schoppe, Michael Schiek, Ella Schiek, Thaddeus Heck, James Heck, Taylor Macak, Taylor Hollands, Charlie Heck, Joseph Heck, Grace Heck, Marisa McGuire, Makenna Winnicki, Abi Winnicki and Jack Antonuk.
Additionally 28 swimmers from Rhinelander have joined forces with the Northern Lakes Aquatic Club and will participate in the regional meet for USA swimmers in Fond Du Lac this Saturday and Sunday.
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