December 7, 2018 at 11:55 a.m.
Hodag swimmers down Antigo 98-36
Hodag swimmers down Antigo 98-36
Swimming with a crew of eight, the Hodags won 10 of the 11 events and defeated Antigo's crew of four swimmers 98-36 in a GNC dual at the McKenna Aquatic Center in Antigo.
The meet presented some unique challenges for the Hodags (3-0 GNC). Fatigue played a role as the meet lasted approximately 50 minutes from start to finish, giving swimmers very little time to rest between events. Additionally, the McKenna pool is the only facility in the GNC that is 25 meters in length, opposed to the standard 25 yards.
Rhinelander coach Jenny Heck said the effects of a few extra strokes per event, coupled with the brisk pace of the meet, were evident by the end of the night.
"I think that meter pool is longer than it seems. I think the kids, they could really feel it by that fourth event," she said. "They were a little more tired and had a little more swimming in them. It was a change and I think they did well with it."
The Hodags were down three swimmers, including David King, who was out sick, and Nolan Francis, who was competing in a national swim meet in Austin, Texas. Regardless, the Hodags were able to win every event except the 400-meter freestyle.
"We ended up doing well with our eight swimmers," Heck said. "We had to change our lineup around. We had one out due to illness, so we had to do some rearranging last-minute, but it was a good opportunity to see some other things I wasn't planning on. It worked out well."
Russell Benoy won four events on the night, taking the 200 freestyle (2 minutes, 15.69 seconds) and the 100 freestyle (59.93) to go along with wins as part of the team's 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams.
Joseph Heck took the 200 individual medley (2:40.21), Devon Gaber won the 50 freestyle (26.29), Thaddeus Heck won the 100 butterfly (1:18.70), Martin Hoger won the 100 backstroke (1:16.90) and Jacob Schoppe win the 100 breaststroke (1:25.34).
Hoger, Joseph Heck, Schoppe and Gaber made up the winning foursome in the 200 medley relay (2:04.49); Thaddeus Heck, Schoppe, Benoy and Gaber won the 200 freestyle relay (1:53.50) and Benoy, Thaddeus Heck, Joseph Heck and Hoger claimed the 400 freestyle relay (4:19.15).
"Russell had a great 200 freestyle time, which I was pleased to see," coach Heck noted. "Jacob Schoppe has a nice showing in his 200 IM. I think Devon Gaber had a great meet. He was consistently fast with his converted times in the 50 freestyle (both in the individual race and his relay splits). I think he was excited about that and we were too."
The short lineup gave a chance for first-year swimmers Cooper Kovac and Ashton Cole to contribute a number of points to the Hodags' cause. Kovac and Cole finished second and third behind Antigo's top swimmer, Brett Farmer, in the 400 freestyle. Kovac added a third-place finish for Rhinelander in the 100 backstroke and Cole was third for the Hodags in the 100 breaststroke.
"We didn't think Brett would swim the 400, but he did and these guys both scored in that and the back or the breast," Jenny Heck said. "They each scored six or seven points for us. We were really happy to have them contribute as much as they did. That was fun to see."
The Hodags are back in the pool today for the annual Hodag Relays. Lakeland, Marshfield, Tomahawk and Superior are also scheduled to attend. The Hodags finished in a three-way tie for first in the meet last season.
Heck called the Hodag Relays a fun meet before challenging duals against Shawano and Lakeland next week.
"We hope to do as well this year (in the relays) and we hope everyone's back, ready and healthy," she said. "We have a big week ahead. Both Shawano and Lakeland are going to be two of our most challenging meets so far. We have a big week ahead, our biggest week yet."
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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