Youth Sports Roundup

Rhinelander Swim Club takes 2nd at conference

    Rhinelander Swim Club swimmers, from left to right, Aiden Cihla, Easton Rady, Landon Kayser and Logan Lorenz pose with their medals during the CWSC championship meet earlier this month in Black River Falls. (Submitted photo)
  

The Rhinelander Swim Club (RSC) wrapped up another successful season in early February placing second at the Central Wisconsin Swim Conference (CWSC) Championship in Black River Falls. CWSC hosted 14 teams across northern Wisconsin. All of the RSC swimmers who competed in the East Divisionals qualified to swim in at least one event at championships. 

“All season long our swimmers from every age were willing to try new events, to push themselves further, and compete in the events that are considered the most challenging. Our athletes have so much to be proud of,” RSC head coach Megan Cihla said. 

    Rhinelander Swim Club swimmers, clockwise from top left Aubree Edwardson, Samantha Sherwood, Charlotte LeClair and Stella Beach pose with their medals during the CWSC championship meet earlier this month in Black River Falls. (Submitted photo)
  

Even though RSC has the second largest team in the conference, it is not an easy feat to place second at Championships. 

“When our swimmers consistently reach the podium in events, we gain even more points as a team. We had events in which RSC swimmers took first through third place or events in which only our swimmers were brave enough to enter,” Cihla said. 

“Our swimmers had fun competing, cheering each other on, and enjoying the team building during this 2-day event,” RSC assistant coach Casey Lehmann said. “That’s what it is all about!” 

The club begins the regular season in mid-October and includes swimmers from the ages 5 through 18. 

“We are now approaching our postseason for some of our swimmers who have qualified for the Wisconsin Short Course State Championship and Regionals for those who are really close to achieving a state qualifying time,” Cihla noted, “It is really exciting to see all of our athletes grow throughout the season. Many of our athletes have accomplished and exceeded the personal goals they developed at the beginning of the season.”

Regionals will be held this weekend in Fond du Lac, and the State Championship will be held February 23-25 in Ashwaubenon and Brown Deer or March 1-3 in Pleasant Prairie based on the age of the swimmer.

RBA 6th graders win again

The Rhinelander Basketball Association’s sixth-grade boys’ traveling team took first place in a tournament in Marshfield Saturday, Feb. 10. 

The Hodags went 3-0 on the day, beating Owen-Withee 45-40, Marshfield White 37-29 and Marshfield Orange 55-27. The team improved to 12-1 on the season with the victories. 

    Pictured are front row, from left to right, are Mason Stein, Boston Hopfensperger, Coltyn Anderson, Max Howard. In the back row are coach Ted Sommer, coach Josh Clark, Jaxson Kremer, Connor Clark, Hans Sommer, Carter Bell, and coach Jason Kremer. (Submitted photo)
  

JV hoops

Rhinelander took on Lakeland in boys’ and girls’ junior varsity basketball contests in Rhinelander Friday, Feb. 9. 

    Charles Johnson makes a pass for the Hodags during the JV2 boys’ game at the James Williams Middle School gym. (Bob Mainhardt for the River News)
  

    Ava Kurilla (0) and Gracie Anderson (4) pressure a Lakeland player during the JV girls’ game at the Jim Miazga Community Gymnasium. (Bob Mainhardt for the River News)