RHS Sports recap: Wednesday, Aug. 21

Girls’ swim: Rhinelander at Colby/Abby Pentathlon

The Rhinelander High School girls’ swim team dominated in its season opener on Wednesday, taking five of the top six spots, and eight of the top 11 overall in the Colby/Abbotsford Pentathlon. 

Sophomore Celia Francis was the only swimmer of break 3 minutes overall in the five-event meet that included a 50-yard race in each of the four core strokes plus a 100-yard individual medley. Her combined time of 2:56.78 was more than five seconds faster than Black River Falls’ Hannah Tubbs for the overall win. Francis also broke a sophomore class record in the 50 backstroke (27.46) as she won that event and the 100 IM (1:01.96).

Lily Thorsen was the fastest of the seniors (3:04.79) and took third overall, edging out teammate Ellyse Younker who won the 50 butterfly (27.76) and was fourth overall (3:05.48). Ella Heck was fifth overall, Vivian Lamers was sixth, June Chiamulera took ninth and Millie Gruett was 10th in a field that included swimmers from six different schools.

The Hodags return to action Saturday as they take part in the Menomonie Invite.

A full report will be published in Tuesday’s River News.