CWP's Winona Swimming & Diving Blog

This is my blog that follows swimming & diving in Winona MN and those Winonans that have left to swim elsewhere. Occasionally I will post items of info related to swimming & diving in general.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Results from the Minnesota Challenge last weekend at the University of Minnesota

Local swimmers were in action last weekend at the University of MN Aquatic Center. Former Winona Winhawks Abbey Staats and Matt Papenfuss were representing the U of MN and John Fox was swimming for the Cardinals of St. Mary’s University. Also in the water was the Winona Water Wizards Head Coach Tom Walsh winding down his collegiate career at St. Mary’s.

It appears everyone had excellent swims. Abbey Staats’ father told me she saw limited action as they are tapering Abbey for peak performance at the Big Ten Championships that start on February 17th. Abbey made a rare Butterfly entry in the Women’s 200 Medley Relay. Her group took 7th (The No. 10 ranked Gopher Women put together 8 relays and dominated the event winning 8 of the top 9 places).

Event 13 Women 200 Yard Medley Relay
Team R elay Finals Time
7 Minnesota G 1:50.34
1) Steenvoorden, Kristen SO 2) r:0.42 Michienzi, Avery JR
3) r:0.43 Staats, Abigail 4) r:0.49 Weis, Lauren FR
14.40 28.49 13.68 30.17  12.04 27.00 11.88 24.68

Matt Papenfuss had a GREAT weekend. He opened up with a 5th place finish in the 50 Freestyle. Matt then swam a personal best while WINNING the 200 Freestyle. He followed that up with a 3rd in the 100 Freestyle. He then wrapped up his speedy weekend by helping his relay to take first in the 400 Free Relay.

Event 8 Men 50 Yard Freestyle
Name Y r School Finals Time
5 Papenfuss, Matt SO Minnesota 21.14
10.35 10.79

Event 20 Men 200 Yard Freestyle
Name Y r School Finals Time
1 Papenfuss, Matt SO Minnesota 1:39.24
r:+0.77 24.10 24.99 25.02 25.13

Event 32 Men 100 Yard Freestyle
Name Y r School Finals Time
3 Papenfuss, Matt SO Minnesota 45.66
r:+0.79 10.50 11.47 11.97 11.72

Event 38 Men 400 Yard Freestyle Relay
Team R elay Finals Time
1 Minnesota A 3:05.37
1) Papenfuss, Matt SO 2) r:0.25 Murphy, Conor FR
3) r:0.32 Lee-To, Evan FR 4) r:0.22 Nesheim, Sean FR
10.57 22.07 34.21 45.96 10.31 22.13 34.46 46.63 10.24 22.28 34.78 46.74 10.27 21.88 34.11 46.04

Former Winhawk John Fox was in action at the Minnesota Challenge and amidst all the tough competition had some excellent swims. He posted a 22.87 in the 50 freestyle, a 1:20.72 in the 100 Breaststroke and wrapped up with a 51.80 in the 100 Freestyle.

Event 8 Men 50 Yard Freestyle
Name Y r School Finals Time
60 Fox, John SR Cardinals 22.87
r:+0.86 11.16 11.71

Event 22 Men 100 Yard Breaststroke
Name Y r School Finals Time
22 Fox, John SR Cardinals 1:02.72
r:+0.84 28.85 33.87

Event 32 Men 100 Yard Freestyle
Name Y r School Finals Time
74 Fox, John SR Cardinals 51.80
r:+0.86 11.20 13.31 13.56 13.73

And a favorite of many of the Winhawks, Wizards Coach Tom Walsh swam some of his best times with a 23.50 in the 50 Freestyle, a 1:--.97 in the 100 Butterfly and to wrap up a solid 52.15 in the 100 Freestyle.

Event 8 Men 50 Yard Freestyle
Name Y r School Finals Time
80 Walsh, Tom SR Cardinals 23.50
r:+0.81 11.55 11.95

Event 18 Men 100 Yard Butterfly
58 Walsh, Tom SR Cardinals 1:00.97
r:+0.90 12.60 15.01 16.57 16.79

Event 32 Men 100 Yard Freestyle
Name Y r School Finals Time
78 Walsh, Tom SR Cardinals 52.15
r:+0.87 11.69 13.03 13.98 13.45

Friday, February 5, 2010

Local Swimmers in Action this weekend and the Minnesota Challenge for area Colleges

This weekend’s Action


The Winona Wizards are headed to Hastings for their Invite. Good luck to the following swimmers in these events:

Megan Ell (9) WIN-MN
# 22 Mixed 10 & Under 200 Free Relay A 1
# 25B Female 9-10 50 Breast NT
# 31B Female 9-10 50 Fly NT
# 37B Female 9-10 100 Free NT


Reese Galewski (13) WIN-MN
# 25D Female 13-14 50 Breast 38.50Y
# 33D Female 13-14 100 Fly 1:08.16Y
# 39D Female 13-14 200 Free 2:19.73Y

Sarah Hunsicker (13) WIN-MN
# 31D Female 13-14 50 Fly NT
# 37D Female 13-14 100 Free NT

Gabrielle Kleinow (14) WIN-MN
# 27D Female 13-14 100 Breast 1:30.50Y
# 31D Female 13-14 50 Fly NT
# 41D Female 13-14 500 Free 6:21.05Y

Anna Kuasova (12) WIN-MN
# 25C Female 11-12 50 Breast 49.64Y
# 37C Female 11-12 100 Free 1:23.26Y

Alexa Lofgren (10) WIN-MN
# 22 Mixed 10 & Under 200 Free Relay A 2
# 25B Female 9-10 50 Breast NT
# 31B Female 9-10 50 Fly 55.90Y
# 37B Female 9-10 100 Free NT

Grant Wolner (8) WIN-MN
# 22 Mixed 10 & Under 200 Free Relay A 3
# 26A Male 8 & Under 50 Breast 57.09Y
# 32A Male 8 & Under 50 Fly NT
# 38A Male 8 & Under 100 Free 1:45.46Y

Griffin Wolner (10) WIN-MN
# 22 Mixed 10 & Under 200 Free Relay A 4
# 26B Male 9-10 50 Breast 44.96Y
# 32B Male 9-10 50 Fly 41.47Y
# 38B Male 9-10 100 Free 1:14.72Y

And MacKenzie Brosnahan will be there swimming as well but I don’t know her events.

The Minnesota Colleges are all competing at the University of Minnesota Friday and Saturday in the Minnesota Challenge.

Teams include:

WOMEN
University of Minnesota
Illinois,University of,Champai
South Dakota State University
Saint Cloud State University
St. Olaf
University of St. Thomas
Minnesota State University
University of Minnesota-Morris
Augsburg College
Gustavus
UW Stevens Point
Carleton College


MEN
University of Minnesota
UW Stevens Point
South Dakota State University
Saint Cloud State University
University of St. Thomas
St. Olaf
Minnesota State University
Carleton College
Gustavus

You can see results at he website http://www.gophersports.com/fls/8400/stats/index.htm?SPSID=38570&SPID=3275&DB_OEM_ID=8400

Winhawks win thriller against Conference foe Rochester John Marshall

Winona pulls out their hardest fought dual meet of the year. The teams’ scores were within a few points throughout the meet. The Winhawks started out in the lead, had it taken away in the 200 IM and regained it right away with a strong 1-2-4 finish in the 50 Freestyle. From that point on the Winhawks had the lead but couldn’t pull away. Each event that extended their lead was followed by a Rochester showing that reigned them back in. Then the second to the last event was the final straw. Sr. Santino LaPorta, 8th Gr. Cal Dretske and Sr. Jonathan Birdsall pulled off a 1-2-3 finish respectfully putting away the meet for good.


The The Winona Winhawks opened the meet with a win in the 200 Medley Relay. The team of Sr. Captain Ryan Whalen, Sr. Santino LaPorta, 8th Gr. Roger Brosnahan and Jr. Louie LaPorta swam a solid time a few hundreths off their best of the year for the win and 8 points. The “B” relay team of So. Avery Prondzinski, 8th Gr Cal Dretske, Jr. Matt Bagshaw and Sr. Jonathan Birdsall, dropping 2 seconds since their winning swim against Owatonna, saw a great neck and neck race. Swimming side-by-side the entire race, they just touched out JM for 2nd place and maximum points.

Score Winona 12 Rochester JM 2

The 200 Freestyle saw JM recover some of their 10 point deficit with a 1-2 finish. Sr. Co-Captain Josh Danzinger brought home 3rd. Jr. Gio Borsari scored finishing 5th in his best time of the season.

Score Winona 16 Rochester JM 14

The 200 IM gave JM their only lead of the night. Their 1-3-5 finnish was broken up by a 2nd place finish by 8th Gr. Cal Dretske and a 4th by Jr. Matt Bagshaw who bettered his time for the 5th consecutive meet!

Score Winona 22 Rochester JM 24

The 50 Freestyle was a statement by the Winhawks that the pool belonged to them .Sr. Co-Captain Ryan Whalen won in 22.78 with 8th Gr Roger Brosnahan right behind him in 2nd and a season’s best 24.11. Sr. Jonathan Birdsall added points also swimming his season low of 25.19.

Score Winona 34 Rochester JM 28

The 1 Meter Diving proved to be a battle as predicted. JM was able to reign in the Winhawk point total scoring 1-2. The Winhawk divers, Jr. Justin Bublitz, Jr. Stan Petkov and So. Dan Karnick finished 3-4-5.

Score Winona 40 Rochester JM 38

The 100 Butterfly propped the Winhawks right back up with 8th Gr, Roger Brosnahan winning 1st with room to spare. Swimming his second sesaon best time of the night, Jr. Matt Bagshaw brought home 2nd place.

Score Winona 50 Rochester JM 44

The 100 Freestyle was a fun race to watch where Rochester’s Tanner Nimke gave Winhawk Sr. Co-Captain Ryan Whalen as close a race as he has had all year. In the end Ryan pulled away for the win in 50.83. Jr. Louie LaPorta brought home points with his best 100 of the season and So. Joey Kleinow touched out JM for a much needed point in 5th. In the JV Event, the newest Winhawks So. Alex Kline, Jr. Eric Mueller and Fr. Mic Borsari ALL swam seasons best times.

Score Winona 59 Rochester JM 51

The 500 Freestyle turned out to me the side-by-side match up that was predicted. Winhawk Sr. Co-Captain Josh Danzinger battled JM’s Nick Cox in the longest event of the evening. While Cox led at the 50, Josh took it away by the 100. They spent the next 250 with Josh just head a shoulders ahead turning together at both ends. About the 40 mark the KM swimmer kicked it down to slide by Josh. At the finish Josh touched 2nd in 5:29.83 fractions off his season best. Scoring varsity points and dropping nearly 30 seconds to a season’s best was 8th Gr Alex Vaslow.

Score Winona 64 Rochester JM 62

The 200 Free Relay of Louie LaPorta, Jonathon Birdsall., Ryan Whalen, Roger Brosnahan swam their best of the Season to touch out JM for 1st. The “B” relay of Joey Kleinow Gio Borsari, Cal Dretske and Josh Danzinger swam a solid 3rd place for some much needed additional points.

Score Winona 74 Rochester JM 66

The 100 Backstroke, which has been an achilles heel in prior meets, saw Jr. Avery Prondzinski step up and drop 4 seconds to a new season low and 2nd place. Equally inspired, Winhawk Jr. Gio Borsari swam his season best as well to score 4th place points to help keep the Winhawks in the lead.

Score Winona 80 Rochester JM 76

The 100 Breaststroke proved to be the trumpet call for the Winhawks. Sr. Santino LaPorta, 8th Gr Cal Dretske and Sr. Jonathan Birdsall followed each other up and down the pool. With the crowd going crazy the three swimmers brought the Winhawks a 1-2-3 sweep of the event and put the meet away for Winona.

Score Winona 93 Rochester JM 79

The 400 Free Relay was time for some fun. With, the win in the bag, both relays could be disqualified and the Winhawks could still win. That being said, the “A” relay of Avery P., Joey K., Louie L., Josh D weren’t through yet. In spite of Avery swimming his season’s best split and Joey swimming a solid leg, JM lead off with their two best sprinters and opened up a 14 second lead. With JM half way up the pool as he left the blocks, Winhawk Jr. Louis LaPorta put in his fastest split of the season making up half the deficit. Now leaving the block with JM only body lengths ahead, Sr. Co-Captain Josh Danzinger swam like it was his last dual of his career making up the defict, overtaking JM at the 80 yard mark and puling out the win and setting up the Winhawks for their run at the Big 9 Conference meet.

Final Score Winona 101 Rochester JM 85

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

What do you do when a Rocket comes a callin’?

Thursday night the Winona Winhawk (2-4) Boy’s Swimming & Diving Team hosts the Rochester John Marshall Rockets (1-6).

Rochester JM finished 10th at last year’s State AA Swimming & Diving Championships so they know what success tastes like. Coach Bachman will be looking to hone his team as they approach season end so the Winhawks will have a good meet on their hands.

The sole returning state qualifier for JM, now Sophomore Tanner Nimke is versatile and Winhawks Head Coach Amy Schulz will have to anticipate where JM Coach Paul Bachman will enter him so she counter or make the most of his off events.

Look for the Winhawks to score well in the 200 Medley Relay, the 100 Butterfly and the 100 Breaststroke if Jr. Santino LaPorta and 8th Gr Cal Dretske have a good night.

The 50 Free and 100 Free should be great races to watch if Winhawks Sr. Captain Ryan Whalen is pitted against the Rockets’ Chris Bram.

The diving will be hotly contested and a great event to watch. Oh that’s right, we still dive at the Middle School so we won’t get to watch a great battle take place. At any rate, the Winhawks can’s count on the 1-2-3 max points they have received the last two meets to keep them in the meet.

The 500 Free should be another close one for Sr. Josh Danzinger who just broke the 5:30 mark at the last meet. JM matches up well with Nick Cox who swims a 5:26.

The 200 Free Relay could be a tough race as well depending on what relays are put together by both squads. They have swum best times this season within a second of each other.

The 100 Back has been a weak point for the Winhawks this season and JM may look to load up and score some points in this event.

If JM needs to, they can put together one heck of a fast 400 Free Relay. The Winhawks have to have either it put away before that or hope JM has depleted their roster. If that is the case, it could be a nail biter finish.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Winhawks victorious over Holmen

The Winona Winhawks hosted the Onalaska Holmen Boys Swimming Team Monday night in a repeat of their annual border crossing.

The evening started on a somber note. Griffin Wolner, a 10 year old Winona Wizards Swimmer sang the National Anthem in honor of long time La Crosse YMCA Swimming Coach John Brenner who past away Sunday at the age of 54. John Brenner was the La Crosse Y’s Aquatic Director and Head Swimming Coach since 1991 coaching and influencing thousands of kids. The La Crosse Tribune named Brenner person of the year for 2008 after dozens of nominations described his dedication to young people. The YMCA honored him as Swim Coach of the Year at the 2009 YMCA National swim meet.

The Winona Winhawks opened the meet with a win in the 200 Medley Relay. The team of Sr. Ryan Whalen, Sr. Santino LaPorta, 8th Gr. Roger Brosnahan and Jr. Louie LaPorta swam their second fastest relay of the year for the win and 8 points. The “B” relay team of So. Avery Prondzinski, Sr. Josh Danzinger, Jr. Matt Bagshaw and Jr. Gio Borsari saw a great neck and neck race. Swimming side-by-side the entire race, they were just touched out by Holmen for 3rd.

SCORE Winona 8 Onalaska/Holmen 6

The 200 Freestyle saw the future stars of the Winhawks take to the pool. So. Joey Kleinow swimming a gutsy calculated race, was even at the 50, and behind at the 100. Then Joey pulled ahead by the 150 and finished strong swimming a negative split to take 2nd going away. Winhawk So Avery Prondzinski swam to 5th.

SCORE Winona 13 Onalaska/Holmen 17

The 200 IM featured a couple of season bests. Winhawk Sr. Santino LaPorta dropped 4 seconds to take 2nd place and Winhawk workhorse Jr. Matt Bagshaw dropped time for the 4th time in the last five meets to secure 3rd place.

SCORE Winona 20 Onalaska/Holmen 25

The 50 Freestyle was another Ryan Whalen showcase out pacing the field handily. It was also a Winhawk 1-2 with Jr. Louie LaPorta finishing a solid 2nd in his fastest 50 free event of the season.

SCORE Winona 30 Onalaska/Holmen 31

Diving started the beginning of the end for Holmen. The Winhawk fans missed out on seeing a 1-2-3 finish in the One Meter Diving event for the second meet in a row. Adding to the missed opportunity was seeing Winhawk Jr. Justin Bublitz score his highest 6 dive total of eth year at 230.33. Complimenting him, Winhawk Jr. Stan Petkov worked his way to his second highest point total of the year.

SCORE Winona 43 Onalaska/Holmen 31

Adding to the scoring, the 100 Butterfly saw Winhawk 8th Gr. Roger Brosnahan way out in front swimming the fastest fly this year. Jr. Matt Bagshaw came right behind him body lengths ahead of the trailing Holmen swimmers.

SCORE Winona 53 Onalaska/Holmen 36

The 100 Freestyle gave Winhawk Captain Ryan Whalen another chance to display his talent and he didn’t disappoint. Winning by over 6 seconds he was part of a Winhawk 1-2 with Jr. Louie LaPorta scoring the 2nd place points and So. Joey Kleinow getting the final points by a whisker with his second come from behind of the night to touch out Holmen by 0.04 seconds.

SCORE Winona 64 Onalaska/Holmen 41

The 500 Freestyle saw Winhawk Sr. Josh Danzinger go it alone against a full slate of Holmen swimmers. Josh had a slight lead after the first 100 and then buried the field swimming his fastest 500 of the season and winning by almost a half a minute.

SCORE Winona 70 Onalaska/Holmen 50

The 200 Free Relay of Louie L., Roger B., Josh D., and Ryan W won handily with he “B” relay of Joey K. Gio Borsari, Santino L. and Matt B. brining home the 3rd place points.

SCORE Winona 80 Onalaska/Holmen 54

The 100 Yard Backstroke saw Winhawk So. Avery Prondzinski brings home 3rd for the Winhawks.

SCORE Winona 84 Onalaska/Holmen 66

The 100 Yard Breaststroke saw Coach Amy Schulz call on versatile Sr. Swimmer Josh Danzinger. Swimming the 100 BR for he first time in 5 weeks, Josh out dueled Holmen and swam to 1st place. 8th Gr Roger Brosnahan swam to 3rd place and 9th Gr. Mic Borsari swam his second varsity BR event to the 4th place finish.

SCORE Winona 95 Onalaska/Holmen 70

With the meet in the bag, the 400 Free Relay was a fun time exercise. Winhawks Avery P., Joey K., Gio B., and Santino L. swam the “A relay to and exhibition 3rd and the Winhawk divers Justin B. Stan P. Dan K. along with Alex K. swam to an exhibition 4th.

FINAL SCORE Winona 95 Onalaska/Holmen 82

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Winhawk Owatonna dual report

The Winter swimming season is gaining momentum with meets and events going on at every level of competition. Sorry this is late, my schedule has been unyielding and there is so much to cover these days.



Thursday the Winona Winhawks tested their metal against a very deep Owatonna Huskies squad that came to town. With a squad boasting over 35 swimmers and divers, it appeared the Winhawks greatest challenge would be to score the higher placing points to counter the volume of Husky entries in each event.

Apparently the squads understood the just how closely contested this meet would be. In the opening event, the 200 Medley Relay, BOTH teams’ “A” relays were disqualified trying to shave time and cutting it too close, one an illegal stroke finish/exchange and the other leaving the block before the prior swimmer had touched. In the end, the Winhawk “B” relay of So. Avery Prondzinski, 8th Gr Cal Dretske, Jr. Matt Bagshaw and Sr. Jonathan Birdsall collected the win and most importantly the first place points. The DQ’s meant a 10-4 lead was actually 8-6.

Score Winona 8 Owatonna 6

The 200 Freestyle saw the Winhawks choose to go to their youth saving experience for later. Winhawk So. Joey Kleinow swam a hard fought 8 lengths and just touched out Owatonna for 3rd place and So. Avery Prondzinski added much needed points as well in 5th.

Score Winona 12 Owatonna 18

For the 200 IM, Amy Schulz pulled a strategic move and entered Winhawk Sr. Josh Danzinger having saved him from his usual 200 Free. Coach’s move saw Josh swim the second fastest Winhawk 200 IM of the season securing 2nd place. Right behind a battle was taking place with Winhawk 8th Gr. Cal Dretske touching out Owatonna for a 4th place finish.

Score Winona 18 Owatonna 28

The 50 Freestyle was another speed exhibition by Winhawk Sr. Captain Ryan Whalen. Owatonna put their talent elsewhere and Ryan’s 22.40 turned what is normally an eyelash win in this event to one measured in body lengths. Winona’s heir apparent to the speed crown 8th Gr. Roger Brosnahan turned in a solid 3rd place just touched out of 2nd.

Score Winona 27 Owatonna 35

The 1 Meter Diving was taking place over at the Middle School. That was a shame, as out of the eyesight of the main crowd, the Winhawk divers brought home the highest event point total of the evening. Winhawk Jr. Justin Bublitz brought home the win with Jr. Stan Petkov securing a solid 2nd. Completing the sweep, So Dan Karnick scored his highest point total of the season for a maximum 13 points in the event which also swings the lead over to the Winhawks for the first time.

Score Winona 40 Owatonna 38

The 100 Butterfly saw Winona’s Fly workhorse, once again, go it alone in the event. Jr. Matt Bagshaw took on Owatonna’s premier flyer and two more Huskies by himself. He responded by swimming his best time of the season to secure 2nd place point for the Winhawks.

Score Winona 44 Owatonna 49

The 100 Freestyle was the anticipated race between Winhawk Sr. Captain Ryan Whalen and Owatonna’s quickest. Whalen responded by swimming his fastest four lengths of the season and winning his second sprint of the night by feet instead of inches.

Score Winona 53 Owatonna 56

The 500 Yard Freestyle also played out as anticipated with Owatonna pushing Sr. Josh Danzinger to swim his best time since before the Holidays. 8th Gr, Alex Vaslow bettered his 500 time for the year bring home the last available points for the Winhawks.

Score Winona 58 Owatonna 67

Again, the 200 Freestyle Relay lived up to its expectations. The Winhawk team of Jr. Louie LaPorta, Jr. Matt Bagshaw, Sr. Ryan Whalen and Roger Brosnahan swam the second quickest time of the season but were touched out by 12 one-hundredths of a second for 2nd place. Right behind them the Winhawk “B” relay of So. Joey Kleinow, Sr. Jonathan Birdsall, 8th Gr. Cal Dretske and Sr. Josh Danzinger sped past the other two Owatonna relays to secure the much needed 3rd place points to try and sty close to the Huskies.

Score Winona 64 Owatonna 75

The 100 Backstroke bore the brunt of the Winhawks’ limited roster. Winhawk So Avery Prondzinski, Jr Gio Borsari (swimming back for the first time), and So Alex Kline was all Winona Head Coach Amy Schulz had to spare to throw at the Huskies. Avery and Gio pull out a 3-5 finish to prevent the Owatonna sweep.

Score Winona 68 Owatonna 87

The 100 Breaststroke saw Owatonna score the easy win, but the Winhawks’ group of Sr. Santino LaPorta, 8th Gr Cal Dretske and Sr Jonathan Birdsall finished 2-3-4 to outscore the Huskies in the event.

Score Winona 77 Owatonna 94

The 400 Free Relay was not going to affect the outcome of the meet as Owatonna already had it in the bag. The Winhawk relay of Jr Louie LaPorta, So Avery Prondzinski, So Joey Kleinow and Sr. Josh Danzinger made a fun event of it. Swimming a great race that was side by side for all four swimmers, Birdsall touched out Owatonna’s Glynn (had two wins under his belt for the night) for a great cap to a meet that was full of potential but stayed just out of the Winhawks’ grasp.

FINAL SCORE Winona 89 Owatonna 94


That made three straight meets that the Winhawks were competitive in and the cancelled Austin meet would have been the same. All the Winhawks need now is some additional depth. Young swimmers and divers are required to fill out a squad that offers the coaches some flexibility and diversity depending on their opponent for each evening.

Next up, Winona takes on the visiting Onalaska Holmen Boys' team Monday Feb 1st. I would preview it for you, but it appears the only sporting team that gets less newsprint than the Winona Winhawk Boys' Swimming Team is the OHS Boys' Swimming Team. Hmmmmm, that would be the LaCrosse Tribune, sister publication to the WDN. Coincidence? Somehow I think NOT.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Winhawks entertain the Owatonna Huskies on Thursday

The 4-2 Owatonna Huskies come to town on Thursday to put the 2-2 Winona Winhawks to the test.


The Owatonna Huskies are competitive this year. They had a relay and a senior in two events at last year’s State Meet, they appear to be looking to try to improve on that. It should be another great dual meet. The Big 9 is shaping up to have quite a bit of parity. First, the Winhawks have squeakers with Faribault and Rochester Mayo, now Owatonna.

Look for the 200 Medley Relay to set the tone. The OHS Relay of Cole Martinez, Kellen Glynn, Matt Partridge, and Michael Crabtree will give the Winhawk relay of Sr. Captain Ryan Whalen, Sr. Santino LaPorta, 8th Gr. Roger Brosnahan and Jr. Louie LaPorta everything they can handle but look for a Winhawk win.

The 200 Freestyle will feature OHS’s Matt Partridge pushing Winhawk Sr. Josh Danzinger with Winhawk So. Joey Kleinow fitting in behind them to scoring high.

The 200IM will most likely see OHS’s Kellen Glynn win the IM unless the Winhawks throw Sr. Ryan Whalen at him which would be a great race. To do that, the Winhawk coaches would have to put some extra weight on 8th Gr. Roger Brosnahan’s shoulders in the 50 Free.

The 50 Free will likely pit OHS’s Michael Crabtree against Winhawk 8th Gr. Roger Brosnahan, Jr. Louie LaPorta and possibly Ryan Whalen.


Diving will be a great contest to watch, Winhawk Jr. Justin Bublitz should bring home the 6 points for 1st place. Look for Winhawk Jr. Stan Petkov, getting geared up for Big 9 & Sections, to pull out 2nd place points just barely beating our OHS’s D.J. Lund and Zack Dantzman. Look for Winhawk So. Dan Karnick to slip in there for some points as well.

The 100 Butterfly would be a great race if both OHS’s Kellen Glynn and Winona’s Roger Brosnahan go head to head.

The 100 Free will be a Crabtree and Whalen battle again and will be a good push for Whalen as he prepares for another run at a State title.

The 500 Freestyle will be another race for OHS to push Winona. Matt Partridge swims a 5:30 and Winhawk Sr. Josh Danzinger will have to swim a season best to upend him.

The 200 Free Relay will also be close. The Seed time for OHS’s Brandon Hager, Nathan Hager, Martinez, Crabtree is around a half second faster than the Winhawks’ Louie LaPorta, Jonathon Birdsall, Ryan Whalen and, Roger Brosnahan.

The 100 Back has OHS’s Cole Martinez will be a handful for any of the Winhawks. Look for Jr. Louie LaPorta and So. Avery Prondzinski to try to pull off the upset. If they have saved him until now, Sr. Ryan Whalen will win it going away.

The 100 Breaststroke will again be one of the hard fought races of the night. OHS’s Kellen Glynn should be nose to nose with the Winhawks’ Sr. Santino LaPorta and 8th Gr. Cal Dretske the entire 100 yards!

The 400 Free Relay looks to be OHS’s. With a squad of over 35, they have too much strength left and the Winhawks will be hard pressed to put together a relay to match them with the swimmers still eligible.

Next up, Onalaska Holmen on Monday the 1st of February.