September 27, 2021 at 8:41 a.m.
RHS swimmers down Medford to become lone GNC unbeaten
RHS swimmers down Medford to become lone GNC unbeaten
The Hodags took down the other unbeaten team remaining in conference dual meet competition, winning 10 of 11 events to defeat Medford 103-67 in Medford.
The Hodags have won 41 of 44 events so far in the GNC this year while averaging 120.3 points per meet. Hodag coach Jenny Heck previously stated it was not the team's goal to match last year's conference dominance - in which it won all 11 events in each of the seven dual meets, while averaging 128.7 points per meet. That philosophy was on display Thursday as the Hodags mixed up the lineup against their nearest conference rivals.
"We had all the girls swimming events they haven't swam yet this year, or maybe have never swam," Heck said. "That's how we did our lineup and it was really fun to see. Some of the girls were a little surprised with how well they did and some of the girls thought they'd might do a little bit better but, for this part of our training season, I think it was a good meet to try some different events."
Sophomore Abi Winnicki was Rhinelander's lone four-event winner on Thursday and exemplified the Hodags' strategy as she led a 1-2 finish with fellow sophomore Karis Francis in the 200 individual medley with a time of 2 minutes, 17.32 seconds. Winnicki also picked up an individual win in the 100 butterfly (1:05.41) and was on Rhinelander's winning 200 medley and 400 freestyle relay teams.
"Abi Winnicki, we finally got her in the IM to get a time on her and Karis. They haven't swam that yet this season," coach Heck noted.
Malia Francis, back after missing three meets due to planned prior commitments, had three wins for Rhinelander and probably would have picked up a fourth, but Heck decided to scratch her from the 100 breaststroke with the dual meet victory already secured. Karis Francis, Ellyse Younker, Maria Heck and Genna Fugle were also three-event winners for the Hodags.
Malia Francis took the 100 freestyle comfortably with a time of 55.73 to beat Medford's Kami Razink by 3.25 seconds. Maria Heck won the 200 freestyle (2:11.88), Fugle took the 50 freestyle (27.26), Younker won the 500 freestyle (5:55.86) and Karis Francis won the 100 backstroke (1:04.79).
Freshman Lily Thorsen was the runner-up in the only event Rhinelander did not win, taking second in the breaststroke. Alicia Lentine added a runner-up finish for Rhinelander in the 50 freestyle.
"Lily Thorsen did really well in the breaststroke," coach Heck noted. "She hasn't really been able to swim the breast much. Ellyse Younker won the 500. She doesn't even remember the last time she swam that, but she did a really nice job.
"Overall, we were just trying to go down our line and see what events we haven't swam and what we wanted times on because, sometimes, you find that someone might have a little surprise in there for you - something that we could maybe use in the future."
Malia Francis, Winnicki, Younker, and Karis Francis were Rhinelander's winning quartet in the 200 medley relay (1:55.77); Fugle, Maria Heck, Malia Francis and Younker took the 200 freestyle (1:47.69) and Heck, Karis Francis, Winnicki and Fugle won the 400 freestyle relay (3:55.84).
Rhinelander was without senior Noelle St. Pierre (knee) for the meet, which coach Heck said came at end of a long week of homecoming festivities. Rhinelander has only three more meets before its host the conference championships Oct. 22, beginning with a home dual this Thursday against the Ladysmith co-op.
"It was one of those meets where it was a little bit of a grind to get through on homecoming week, but I thought that the kids went after it as best they could," Heck said. "We have to stay in the fight, which means keeping our heads and our bodies going, keeping focused and concentrating on what our end goal is. With all of these distractions with homecoming, the kids are tired and school's getting to be more tests and homework, we always kind of have to gather (ourselves) around this time. As a coach, this isn't my favorite week because there are too many distractions, but we just want to keep everyone healthy and feeling good, have a nice weekend but get back at it Monday."
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
Comments:
You must login to comment.