August 29, 2022 at 8:07 a.m.
Winnicki sets four records, claims Colby pentathlon
Winnicki sets four records, claims Colby pentathlon
Abi Winnicki swept all five events and won the non-conference meet. In the process she set the junior class record for the fastest overall pentathlon time - a combination of performances in 50-yard races in each of the four core strokes plus a 100-yard individual medley - and set three individual event records.
"It's exciting for sure, especially just starting the season," Winnicki said afterward. "I was just excited to be here. It's just such a great meet to see where you're at, kind of figure things out."
It was part of a strong day overall for the Hodags - who had six of the top nine finishers in the pentathlon and placed first and/or second in all four grade levels.
"We really had great representation with overall times," coach Jenny Heck said. "Our depth really shows at a meet like this too where kids are swimming all different events and combined times are really fast. It's a great meet for kids to be able to compete against themselves, against others and just the clock. We always enjoy this meet. It's just a fun way to get five events and times in 90 minutes."
Winnicki edged former Hodag Kiah Francis' junior class record in the pentathlon by 0.02 seconds, covering the five events in 2 minutes, 53.53 seconds. She also got Francis' butterfly record by 0.01 seconds (26.87) and her 50 freestyle mark by 0.15 seconds (25.13).
The fourth record was perhaps the most special, as Winnicki took down the junior mark in the 50 backstroke set by her older sister, Makenna, back in 2019.
"Makenna, actually, before she left (for the college school year), she's like, 'You can't get my 50 back record.' I was like, 'Makenna, I've gotta do it,'" said Abi Winnicki, who's 28.32-second mark beat her sister's record by 0.86 seconds. "I didn't have a record yet, since all the sophomore ones were from Malia (Francis). I was like I've got to mark my name this time."
Winnicki's overall time was also the third-fastest in meet history, behind only Malia Francis (2:49.41, 2021) and Kiah Francis (2:50.98, 2016).
"She just really is swimming fast," Heck said. "I think she's just kind of coming into her own, being a junior. I think this is just a start of a great season for Abi."
Lily Thorsen continued a breakout start to her sophomore campaign. She placed in the top six overall in every event, highlighted by a third-place finish in the 50 breaststroke (34.11) to take fourth overall in the pentathlon, and tops among 10th graders. Her aggregate time of 3:10.00 was an 18.44-second improvement from her performance in the event a year ago.
"She's really dedicated a lot of time to swimming," Heck said. "Her arm turnover speed is just amazing for just a little, small girl, she looks huge in the water and she's really able to produce some fast times. This is really helpful for us because we need to look for those kids to fill relay positions, to step up and replace some of those that we've lost. I think she's going to be right in the mix."
Ellyse Younker was second among sophomores and fifth overall in the pentathlon (3:13.49). She placed in the top seven in every event, highlighted by a fourth-place swim in the 50 butterfly. Freshman Camilla Gruett was second in her class and sixth overall (3:16.89), and had a fifth-place swim in the butterfly. Senior Genna Fugle tied for third in the freestyle (27.00) and took seventh overall (3:17.45). Freshman Emma Houg was third in the backstroke (31.22) and finished ninth overall (3:18.39).
"All those girls, they always want to swim better and faster, but the should be really pleased with themselves," Heck said. "That's what we need. We're looking for those girls to really makes some big moves this year. They know they have a lot of expectations on themselves and it just gives up a lot of possibilities."
Gussie Gruett finished fourth among seniors while Margaret Lambert and Abigail Ames were fourth and fifth in the junior class.
The meet was Rhinelander's final non-conference tune-up before opening the Great Northern Conference season this Thursday at home against the Ladysmith co-op. The Tridents were part Wednesday's six-team meet, but did not have any individual top-10 finishes.
Winnicki said the Hodags are in strong shape as they embark on a quest to win their fourth straight GNC title.
"I'm excited. Once we get those duals going and people see how their swimming, I'm beyond excited for our conference season," she said. "I think we're looking for a great year. Everyone looks great, super fast - like end-of-season times. I think we're looking for a pretty special year this year."
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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