December 11, 2017 at 2:09 p.m.
Rhinelander, Lakeland and Marshfield tie for first at Hodag Relays
Rhinelander, Lakeland and Marshfield tie for first at Hodag Relays
Rhinelander withstood a crazy final race in the 400-yard freestyle relay to finish in a three-way tie for first in its annual relay meet at the Heck Family Community Pool.
Leading by six points heading to the final event, Rhinelander finished last to open the door for other teams. Lakeland won the race, leapfrogging from 12 points back in fourth place to jump into the first-place tie. Marshfield tied for the title as well, holding off Shawano by 0.03 seconds for the runner-up spot in the 400 free relay to close an eight-point gap on Rhinelander.
"We didn't know it was going to be this close, at all. It was a great finish to a fun meet," Hodag co-coach Jenny Heck said afterward.
It was a true mixed bag for the Hodags, who won four events and added a second-place finish, but also had five finishes of fourth or worse in the six-team meet. In the end, it was just enough to claim a share of the trophy, despite some nervous moments in the final race.
"It was very exciting, especially not having a team in that final heat. It was very exciting to watch," co-coach Marna Winnicki said.
Junior Russell Benoy had a hand in all four of Rhinelander's victories on the day. Benoy, David King, Martin Hoger and Joseph Heck teamed up to win the 400 individual medley relay (4 minutes, 15.33 seconds). Thaddeus Heck, Hoger and Benoy won the 150 mixer medley relay (1:22.52) while Thaddeus Heck, Joseph Heck and Benoy won the 300 breaststroke relay (3:31.99).
Benoy also swam a leg of the 500-yard decrescendo freestyle relay with Joseph Heck and Devon Gaber. The fourth member of the relay was junior Isaiah Piosalan, who just joined the team last Monday, and played a big role in giving Rhinelander enough flexibility in its lineup to come away with a share of the victory.
"Without him, we would have been able to only enter like eight relays," Winnicki said.
Hoger, Joseph Heck and David King scored a runner-up finish for Rhinelander in the 300 backstroke relay.
"We had a lot of personal bests today, a lot of time drops and they had fun," Winnicki said. "It was good to see kids swim events they haven't swam yet this season and they did well in those events. Now I feel we have other opportunities for placing kids."
Three of Rhinelander's Great Northern Conference rivals were in attendance Saturday. Along with Lakeland, which shared the title. Tomahawk and Shawano were in the field. Tomahawk finished fourth after entering the final event in second place, only six points behind the Hodags. Shawano finished fifth.
Several of the teams used the meet as a fun event but also as an opportunity to try swimmers in different events with an eye toward later in the season.
"It was good to see kids swim events they haven't swam yet this season and they did well in those events. Now I feel we have other opportunities for placing kids," Jenny Heck noted.
Rhinelander returns to Great Northern Conference play Tuesday night at home against Shawano before heading to Lakeland to take on the conference-leading T-Birds.
"It's going to be a tough week but a fun week," Winnicki said.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
Comments:
You must login to comment.