RHS swimmers tested in Brookfield

The Rhinelander High School girls’ swim team got its first taste Saturday of some top-level competition — some of which could be even more difficult than what it will face at the end of the season.

The Hodags scored five top-10 finishes and placed ninth overall in the Spartan Invite at Brookfield East High School. 

The field was loaded with talent. Among the teams present were Middleton, Verona and Muskego — which finished first, second and fourth at last year’s WIAA D1 state meet. D2 state runner-up Madison Edgewood was present, as was Minnetonka, Minn., the reigning MSHSL Class AA state champion. 

“It was a really fast meet,” Hodag coach Jenny Heck said. “We knew it was going to be fast, but these girls were just really tough in the water. It was kind of fun to watch. But I feel that we achieved our goal — and that was to get down here, learn something from these other teams who are swimming fast and make ourselves better. In order to take it to another level, you got to put push it and do some uncomfortable things.”

The top six finishers in each event made the podium. Rhinelander had only two podium finishers, and they came in the same event. Juniors Ella Heck (1:09.20) and Vivian Lamers (1:09.94) were fifth and sixth, respectively, in the 100-yard breaststroke. 

“It was great to see two girls in for the breaststroke,” coach Heck said. “And they both had good solid times for this time of year. And it’s great for them to be swimming against a whole heat of really fast girls. So that was good.”

Both Ella Heck and Lamers, along with fellow junior Kiley Pooch, were on a pair of seventh-place relays for Rhinelander. The three and senior Millie Gruett were seventh in the 200 medley relay (1:51.68). Junior June Chiamulera joined the three for a seventh-place swim in the 200 freestyle relay (1:42.48).

Lamers recorded Rhinelander’s only other top-10 finish, taking 10th in the 50 freestyle (25.37).

Points were paid through 16 positions and the Hodags had five other entries that scored points. Pooch took 11th in the 100 backstroke (1:03.09) and the Hodags were 15th in the 400 freestyle relay with the squad of Rylee Mickevicius, Emma Houg, Chiamulera and Gruett (3:54.68). Chiamulera was 15th in the 100 freestyle (57.42), Ella Heck was 16th in the 50 freestyle and freshman Lola Beach took 16th in the 500 freestyle (6:02.89).

“We were pleased with it. We were hoping to get a few more in that top 16 that were right on the edge, but we did get some in,” coach Heck said. “You don’t know how these meets are going to go. And we’ve never been there before. It was a new experience for us as coaches, too. I’d do it again. I think it’s great to put yourself in these positions and it’s good to be uncomfortable, and it only makes you better.”

Edgewood, which beat Rhinelander for the silver trophy last year at the D2 state meet, tied for sixth on Saturday. Middleton won the competition, followed by Minnetonka, Verona and Muskego.

The Hodags will have another large invite against tough competition this coming Saturday when they travel to Waukesha for the Blackshirt Invite. But first, Rhinelander hosted Lakeland on Thursday night in a dual meet between the two remaining unbeaten teams in Great Northern Conference play. 

“Another busy week and, (it’s a matter of) just keeping everyone on track and keeping their head in the game,” coach Heck said.

Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].