March 11, 2019 at 2:39 p.m.
Francis MVP, Gaber most improved at boys' swim banquet
Francis MVP, Gaber most improved at boys' swim banquet
There were so many highlights for a team that tied for third at the WIAA Division 2 state meet that coach Jenny Heck said it was hard to single guys out, but two state champions in particular received the team's most valuable and most improved honors.
Senior Nolan Francis was selected at the team's MVP by the coaching staff while junior Devon Gaber took home the team's most improved award.
Francis had an incredible season for the Hodags, as an individual state champion in the 100-yard backstroke as well as a member of the state-champion 200 freestyle relay squad with Gaber, senior Russell Benoy and sophomore Joseph Heck. Francis was also part of five school records this season as the Hodags dominated at the Great Northern Conference and WIAA sectional meets.
Francis skipped his junior season at RHS to concentrate on the USA Swimming circuit, but came back to the Hodags with a vengeance as a senior.
"Nolan really elevated our team, not only with his fast times, but he was a quiet leader - sometimes not as quiet as other times - but he was a great leader," Jenny Heck said during the banquet. "He helped all of us. I think I asked Nolan for a ton of advice, 'What would you do Nolan?' or 'What do you think about this stroke?' It's great to have someone with his experience and knowledge. He was always helping and critiquing the other guys saying, 'Do this. Try this.' I think that was really helpful for all of our guys to try to keep up with Nolan, first of all at practice, but also to hear what he has to say. He was so helpful all the time with all of us."
Gaber flourished during the final weeks of the season. He posted personal-best times in the 50 and 100 freestyle races at sectionals to qualify for state, and then smashed those personal bests six days later in Madison, placing eighth in a field of 16 in both races in the D2 state meet.
Gaber's lifetime-best 21.91-second split in the 50 as part of the 200 freestyle relay gave the Hodags a commanding lead in the event entering the final leg, giving Benoy plenty of breathing room to bring Rhinelander its first individual state championship in boys' swimming in 25 years.
"Devon had an awesome year this year, a lot of improvement," Jenny Heck said, noting Gaber dropped 2.7 seconds in the 50 and 4.5 second in the 100 freestyle this season. "He worked really hard in the offseason. You know what you did and I'm really impressed with your hard work."
The team also thanked its captains for the 2018-19 season - Benoy and Thaddeus Heck.
"They were great captains and I really appreciated what they did," Jenny Heck said. "They did a lot for me and the team. I appreciate all of their help."
Rhinelander had a season for the ages, going 12-0 in duals as it cruised to its second GNC title in the last four years. The Hodags won the sectional meet by more than 100 points. Along the way this year, the Hodags set eight pool, five school and four Great Northern Conference records.
All 10 members of the squad earned varsity letters and coach Heck said it took each and every one of them for the team to reach this heights it did this season.
"We did it with all 10 guys," she said. "There were other teams that had as many guys as we did but maybe lost quite a few of the meets. What I'm saying is it wasn't just one of two of these guys, it was the whole team that really contributed."
Freelancer Bob Mainhardt contributed to this report.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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