October 21, 2020 at 12:00 p.m.
Hodag swimmers knock off Black River Falls 125-35
Hodag swimmers knock off Black River Falls 125-35
The meet, a late addition to the Hodags' schedule, was a low-key affair against a Tigers' squad that had only five swimmers on deck Tuesday.
"Overall, I saw some really good swims and I saw a lot of swims where I can tell the girls are tired and are going to need a little rest," coach Jenny Heck said. "It was a good meet. It was almost like an intrasquad meet because they had so few swimmers, but also a chance to get an official time."
Rhinelander used the event as an opportunity to juggle its lineup one final time before postseason competition and try swimmers in events they don't usually swim. As a result, the Hodags lost their first two races of the season. Black River Falls' Lyndsi Laufenberg edged Rhinelander's Abigail Ames for the win in the 200-yard freestyle and Sierra Woodford for the win in the 500 freestyle.
"That was not our goal of the meet. We felt like we did what we needed to do for the season and, more importantly, we were happy to get some kids times in the events," coach Heck said. "We feel we hit our goal of the conference, of winning every event. It was nice to see Sierra Woodford get her automatic lettering time in the 500 free. We were able to do different events like that and get some times on kids that don't always get to swim those events. That was more important tonight."
Rhinelander put a number of its fastest swimmers in all three relay races. Malia Francis, Noelle St. Pierre and Abi Winnicki were members of all three winning relays - the 200 medley, 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle. Makenna Winnicki joined the three in the 200 and 400 freestyle relays while Lisa Kennedy was on the 200 medley relay.
Maria Heck scored individual wins for the Hodags in the 200 individual medley and the 100 freestyle. Makenna Winnicki edged her younger sister, Abi, in the 100 butterfly. St. Pierre took the 50 freestyle, Malia Francis won the 100 backstroke and Karis Francis won the 100 breaststroke.
In addition to Ames, Woodford and Abi Winnicki, the Hodags got individual runner-up finishes from Margaret Lambert in the 200 IM, Genna Fugle in the 50 freestyle, Kennedy in the 100 backstroke and Sam Sundby in the 100 breaststroke. Karis Francis, Sundby, Makenna Winnicki and Fugle were the runner-up quartet in the 200 medley relay. Kennedy, Maria Heck, Karis Francis and Fugle finished second in the 200 freestyle relay. Fugle, Maria Heck, Woodford and Kennedy took second in the 400 freestyle relay.
The Hodags were right back in action Thursday, hosting Lakeland in their part of the Great Northern Conference virtual meet, which concluded after deadline. Rhinelander will not compete again until WIAA Division 2 sectionals, scheduled for Nov. 7.
"We want to swim this meet on Thursday, this conference final meet, and then get prepared to swim sectionals and state," coach Heck said. "That's our goal. We just want to keep going, being able to swim and go after our end-of-season goals."
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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