Hodag swimmers 2nd at Small School state

Rhinelander was the WIAA Division 2 boys’ swimming state champion two years ago. McFarland won the title last year. Whitefish Bay was right in the mix both years. If Saturday’s prelude to next month’s state meet is any indication, those three teams will be battling it out again for the gold and silver trophies next month in Waukesha.

Mathias Fugle and Samson Shinners went 1-2 in the 100-yard freestyle and the Hodags secured eight top-three finishes overall as they took second at the Small School State Invite on Saturday hosted by Shorewood High School in the Milwaukee suburbs. 

The meet typically attracts the top D2 programs in the state. Saturday was no exception with the top five teams from last year’s state meet in attendance. McFarland won that one in a runaway, defeating the Hodags by 82 points for the state crown, but Saturday showed that the Hodags have closed gap significant. Rhinelander was only eight points behind the Spartans, with Whitefish Bay another 16 1/2 points back. 

While coach Jenny Heck noted that one of McFarland’s top swimmers, Cale TeBeest, swam only one event due to a back issue, she said Saturday’s results are encouraging for her squad just four weeks away from the state meet. 

“We really did not know, there’s not been a lot of information out there with some of these teams. So to get the runner-up, we were quite pleased,” she said. “I know McFarland was without one of their guys which will be a lot of points, moving forward, but that being said as you know, we didn’t have everybody in their strongest lineup either and you know there’s room to move around for a lot of these teams. Whitefish Bay was right behind us. They’re looking very strong as well and there’s also individual swimmers who weren’t at this meet who will really play a part when it comes to the state. 

“It gave us some great hope and we’re glad that we’re runner-up, but things can change a lot before (state).”

The 100 freestyle was the highlight of the meet for Rhinelander as Fugle (48.95 seconds) and Shinners (49.36) swept the top two spots on the podium after taking fifth and sixth at state, respectively, in the event last year. 

“To see the 1-2 with Samson and Bubba was just fantastic and I was really proud of them,” Heck said. “The seniors really led the charge today, so much experience and they really took charge. 

Rhinelander also showcased its depth in the relays, taking runner-up in all three of those events. Dolan O’Malley, Shawn Denis, Charlie Antonuk and Judson O’Malley swam the 200 medley relay (1:42.57), with Judson O’Malley holding off a hard-charging Steven Camacho from Whitefish Bay for the runner-up spot.

“Our medley was very close, but Judson had amazing finish that I only could tell by looking at the clock,” Heck said. “It was that close that I thought that we were going to be third, but he is so strong in the finish so that was especially exciting.”

The quartet of Denis, Judson O’Malley, Shinners and Fugle were second in the 200 freestyle relay (1:30.00) while Shinners, Dolan O’Malley, Gillingham and Fugle were second in the 400 freestyle relay (3:20.45). Despite posting a split faster than his individual 100 (47.56), Fugle was overtaken for the win late by Whitnall’s Ethan Schutten, who swam the final 100 in 45.42. 

“We were ahead until the last probably 25 Bubba got caught up by the guy who won the 200 and the 500,” Heck said. “I think he went out in the 200 in a 45. So he was just really fast, but it was a fantastic race and fantastic splits by all of the guys.”

Rhinelander also had a strong team performance in the 100 breaststroke. Senior Shawn Denis, fourth at state in the event last year, came home second on Saturday (1:01.06) while freshman Dean Gillingham took third. 

Fugle and Shinners were third and sixth, respectively, in the 50 freestyle. Dolan O’Malley was fourth in both the 200 individual medley and the 100 backstroke, Denis added a fifth-place swim in the 100 butterfly and Gillingham was seventh in the 200 IM. 

“Shawn had the 100 fly which was a different event for him and had a fantastic time, and a great swim and 100 breast,” Heck said. “Dolan had nice drop in his IM, which we were looking for … We’re trying to place all pieces to the puzzle that we’re trying to figure out and are very hopeful that we can make some great things happen.”

Judson O’Malley added a 10th-place swim in the individual medley while Antonuk was 10th in the 100 butterfly. 

Home double dual

    Rhinelander’s Dolan O’Malley swims the 100-yard freestyle during a GNC boys’ swimming double dual against Lakeland and Tomahawk at the Heck Family Community Pool Thursday, Jan. 23. (Bob Mainhardt for the River News)
  

Thursday night was also a night for the Hodags’ seniors to shine. Fugle, Denis, Shinners and Dolan O’Malley swam together and won both the 200 medley (1:42.42) and 400 freestyle (3:26.03) as the Hodags claimed a GNC double dual at the Heck Family Community Pool, defeating Tomahawk 121-43 and Lakeland 137-21.

“It was fun to keep those seniors together and have them shine and see how close we could get to those pool records,” Heck said. “We’re fairly close in the medley. I was really pleased and to have them swim together and just swim really fast was very special for senior night.”

Rhinelander won 10 of the 11 events on the evening. Dolan O’Malley nabbed individual wins in the 50 freestyle (24.34) and the 100 freestyle (52.94) while Denis won the 200 IM (2:04.33) and the 100 breaststroke (1:02.43). 

Gillingham claimed the 200 freestyle (1:56.01), leading a 1-2-3 sweep in that event with Judson O’Malley and Broden Wagner. Shinners (58.46) led a sweep in the 100 butterfly with Gillingham and Christoper Larson. Antonuk (5:43.25), Daniel Meier and Matthew Wood went 1-2-3 in the 500. 

Judson O’Malley, Antonuk, Wood and Gillingham made up the winning quartet for the Hodags in the 200 freestyle relay (1:38.19). 

“It was nice to see a great spark in Charlie Antonuk on that 200 free relay and we were even able to get a win for one of our freshman Matthew Wood on that relay which was a great win and fun for him to be part of as well,” Heck said.

The Hodags are back in the pool tonight at Antigo in a make-up of a GNC dual that was postponed Dec. 19 due to inclement weather. That will be Rhinelander’s final meet before hosting the Great Northern Conference championships Feb. 7 at the Heck Pool.

Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].