February 9, 2023 at 9:29 a.m.
Hodag swimmers projected to win sectionals, send strong fleet to state meet
Hodag swimmers projected to win sectionals, send strong fleet to state meet
Before the Hodags can think about possibly vying for a first- or second-place trophy next Friday night at the Waukesha South natatorium, they need to qualify as many entries as possible for the state meet. That task takes place Saturday in a Division 2 sectional meet in Ashwaubenon.
The Hodags have won four straight sectional titles and are projected to win a fifth on Saturday. Rhinelander is a 70-point favorite over host Ashwaubenon through the River News' analysis of sectional psych sheets released by the WIAA on Tuesday.
More than just winning the sectional, Rhinelander's focus Saturday will be on getting as many of its 21 entries through to state as possible. Every entry means more potential points for the Hodags, who are projected as third in mock state meet behind Shorewood and McFarland, according to the River News' analysis.
"I think it's the position we thought we'd be in," Hodag coach Jenny Heck said. "We have a lot of guys right there that should be in, and we have the guys that are going to be on the bubble. Hopefully we can get those guys on the bubble in and have everyone move up. That's everyone's goal. Saturday's the day to qualify. Next Friday is where your place matters."
The easy ticket to state is winning an event at sectionals, which comes with an automatic berth to Waukesha. Rhinelander is seeded first in eight of the 11 events on Saturday. From there, the next 12 fastest times statewide round out the field of 16 in each event. Based on the psych sheets, the Hodags are projected to qualify another nine entries.
The bubble is where Rhinelander will have most of its focus on Saturday. Sophomores Dolan O'Malley and Shawn Denis enter the weekend dancing on the state cutline in both of their individual events. O'Malley has the 14th-fastest time in the 100-yard backstroke (59.00 seconds) and is 15th fastest in the 200 individual medley (2:12.72). Both times are slower than what proved to be the cutline in those events - 58.06 in the backstroke and 2:11.46 in the IM - last year.
Denis, meanwhile, is on the opposite side of the line. He's seeded 17th in the IM, just 0.25 behind O'Malley and 0.23 seconds off the 16th-fastest time in the state. He's 18th in the 100 breaststroke (1:06.79), 1.37 seconds out of 16th.
"If we can get some of these guys who are right on that edge in, everyone's going to have to drop time," coach Heck said. "Everyone in the state is saying the same thing though. We have to drop more time than they're dropping and we have to want it more to get people in."
The relays appear where the Hodags are the strongest. Rhinelander is the top seed in the sectional in all three relay races. The Hodags' 200 medley (1:38.88) and 200 freestyle relays (1:29.72) are the second-fastest statewide, while the 400 freestyle relay (3:21.64) is third-fastest overall.
Carter Gaber is Rhinelander's best individual seed. His time of 54.85 in the backstroke is tops in the sectional and third overall. Gaber is also the top seed in the sectional in the 50 freestyle (22.30), Daniel Gillingham has the top seed in the 200 IM (2:05.51) and the 100 butterfly (55.21). Charlie Heck is the top seed in the 100 freestyle (50.28).
Teams at sectionals are allowed 18 individual entries and one entry in each of the three relay races. Where those 18 individual entries are placed is at the discretion of each coach, and the Hodags have taken the unorthodox approach of sticking five entries into the 200 IM. It's a gamble that may pay off as all five - Gillingham (sixth), Jack Antonuk (seventh), Zacha King (11th), Dolan O'Malley and Denis - are seeded in the top 17 of the state.
"We do have some well-rounded guys on this time for sure," coach Heck said. "That's why we thought our best chances to qualify would be that IM. We'll have to see. To get five guys in from one sectional won't be easy, but I think this group could do it. I think they've got time to drop, and they're used to racing each other. That's what they're going to be doing in that heat."
In addition to being favored to win eight events, the Hodags have the No. 2 seed in the sectional in six events. Sophomore Mathias Fugle is second in both the 200 freestyle and the 100 freestyle, Antonuk is second in both the IM and the 100 breaststroke, Charlie Heck is seeded second in the 50 freestyle and King is second in the 100 backstroke. All six entries are projected comfortably inside the top 16 state-wide.
This year's sectional has a new venue as Ashwaubenon joins and hosts an 11-team meet that includes all six GNC programs plus Menomonie, Notre Dame Academy, Rice Lake and Wausau East. The Hodags are no stranger to Ashwaubenon's natatorium, however. They have competed in the Jaguar Invite over the past several years, finishing second behind Division 1 Bay Port in this year's installment back on Jan. 7.
"We enjoy swimming in that pool," coach Heck said. "It's a fast pool. The guys are comfortable with it. It's not a bad commute. I think it will be a good day for racing. They have nice blocks, a cooldown pool. It should be a good venue."
The meet gets underway at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
WEATHER SPONSORED BY
E-Editions
Latest News
E-Editions
Events
August
To Submit an Event Sign in first
Today's Events
No calendar events have been scheduled for today.
Comments:
You must login to comment.