RHS swimmers reflect on season, King earns High Point Award

The Rhinelander High School boys’ swim team celebrated Monday following another season that saw it achieve some lofty goals.

All nine members of this year’s varsity team received letters as the team concluded its year with an awards banquet at the Cedric A. Vig Outdoor Classroom. 

It was a strong year for the Hodags, who earned their sixth straight Great Northern Conference championship, sixth straight WIAA Division 2 sectional championship and came home with the fifth runner-up finish at state in program history after capturing the state title in 2023. 

Despite graduating more than half of its team from 2023, the returning swimmers set the lofty goal of walking out of the Waukesha South Natatorium with another trophy, and worked hard to achieve that goal.

“I made it very clear the goal was top two at state,” junior captain Dolan O’Malley said as he presented the season highlights for the team. “Although it was tough to see in the middle of the season, we kept our eye on the prize. 

“We knew going into state it would be a race for second. We knew we had put in all the hard work and all the early mornings. It was time to swim fast at state, and that’s just what we did.”

The Hodags swam to runner-up finishes in all three relays at state, scored an individual second-place finish with senior Zacha King in the 100-yard backstroke and set three school records as they beat Whitefish Bay by 21 points for the runner-up spot. Coach Jenny Heck said it took a collective effort from all involved — athletes, coaches and parents — to accomplish those goals.

“What these guys do is what separates good from great. I’ve been involved in a lot of champion teams and they’ve all been very good, but the difference that you guys had,” she said. “You work together as a team and helped each other. It so much better when you’re doing things as a team instead of individually.”

As it has over the past few seasons, the team opted not to hand out a most valuable swimmer award, instead presenting a High Point Award to the swimmer who accumulated the most points during the championship season. 

Thank to his three runner-up swims at state, coupled with a school-record performance in an fifth-place finish in the 200 individual medley, King took home the honor. His postseason also included three first-place finishes and a runner-up finish at sectionals, four wins at the GNC championships, a conference record in the 100 backstroke and GNC swimmer of the year honors. 

“Zacha’s work ethic, I think these guys would all agree at Zacha’s one of the hardest-working guys you’ll see,” Heck said of the team’s lone senior. “He always was in the first one in the weight room. He was putting in extra time doing extra things, doing more than I asked, doing things on his on, trying to figure out how to make himself better, faster, going after goals, looking at the record board always trying to figure out how to be a little faster. It’s all those little things that just put you from a really good swimmer to an amazing swimmer.”

While the High Point Award was the only formal honor given out by the coaching staff, the swimmers themselves presented two awards that have been passed down from year to year. Shawn Denis presented the “Small Man” award — an action figurine that represents a young swimmer on the team who figures to make a big impact in the future — to freshman Charlie Antonuk. While King handed down the Kickboard Award for the top returning swimmer to Denis, who broke the school record in the 100 breaststroke at state last month.

“It was pretty tough for me to give this out and it really came down to (state) weekend,” King noted. “He’s probably the most well-rounded guy on the team. He’s gone sub-minute in every (stroke of the) 100.” 

Heck thanked the coaches, athletes and parents for the support over the season and, with eight of the nine swimmers from this year’s roster due back, reminded the team of what it took to remain among one of the state’s top D2 programs this year. 

“When you can do those things together and help each other, it just makes things so much more better and special and great,” she said. “Don’t ever forget it. Remember it, appreciate it and you guys will have a bond together forever of just something you really worked hard toward. I’m really proud of you guys.”

Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].