Winhawks victorious over the Austin Packers

It appeared like it was going to be an issue filled evening. Austin was almost an hour late after experiencing a flat tire on their bus. Both teams were hobbled by illness, (Austin was short two of its State qualifiers from last year), and the announcer's microphone was acting up.

But, those events would prove to be the only hiccups of the evening as Winona capitalized on the depleted Austin squad and dominated the majority of the events.


IN the opening 200MR, the team of Sam Quandahl, Alex Zuelke, Reese Galewski and Aimee Peterson handled the A&B Austin Relays for an 8-6 lead.

The 200FR saw Winhawk SO Mackenzie Brosnahan dominate the field, winning with a 10 second margin of victory. Austin swept 2 – 4 with Winhawk 8th grader Gabby Kleinow and JR Taylor Johnson filling out the varsity finish. At this point the score was tied 15 – 15.

The Varsity 200IM saw FR Alexandra Zuelke win going away in 2:27.81. Winhawk 8th Graders Reese Galewski and McKenna Marg finished 3rd & 4th respectively to put the Winhawks back on top, 26-20.

The 50FR Junior Varsity was a fun race to watch with the Winhawks Grace Ell, Erika Johnsrud and Co-Captain Deni Cisewski finishing 1, 3, and 4 respectively.

Not wanting to be outshined, the Varsity 50FR hit the water and the Winhawks swam 1,2,and 3. Bridget Bawek finished first in 26.77 followed by Sr. Co-Captain Amiee Peterson in 27.70 who touched out 8th grader Hailey O’Neil at 27.89 The sweep pushed the Winhawks lead out to 39-23.

In the diving event at the WMS, the Austin 8th grader Sela Fadness took advantage of Winhawk FR Crystal Franswa nursing a sore knee to win the event with a total of 215 pts. Winhawk JR Lianna Hawthorne took second, followed by Winhawk SR Erin Buswell and Winhawk JR Katie Albrecht. The 2 – 4 finish added to the lead, now at 48 – 30.

In the 100FL JV, Winhawk JR Mallory Porter returned to competition after missing two weeks of practice. Here 1:22.13 was a good sign that she is starting to get into shape.

The Varsity 100FL saw the Winhawks dominate again. JR Samantha Quandahl and 8th grader Reese Galewski finished 5 seconds ahead of the closest Austin swimmers. With those points the Winhawks really started pulling away at 58 – 36.

In the 100FR, the Winhawks continued their dominance in the Sprints with JR Bridget Bawek finishing first and 8th Grader Hailey O’Neil touching out Sr. Nicole Haugland of Austin for second by 0.01 seconds!

In the 500FR the “Kenzies” scored for the Winhawks. In the JV event 7th Grader McKenzie Porter continues to drop time, swimming a solo 6:39.49. In the 500FR Varsity heat, Winhawk SO Mackenzie Brosnahan won going away by 14 seconds. SR Co-Captain Amiee Peterson having already swum the shortest and fastest event in the meet, now swam the longest taking 3rd with 8th grader Gabby Kleinow taking the 5th place. The Winhawks are now up 78-48.

The Winhawk 200Fr Relay of JR Bridget Bawek, 8th Grader Hailey O’Neil, SO Mackenzie Brosnahan and Sr. Aimee Peterson won with 10 yards to spare making the score 86-54.

The 100BK saw Winhawk JR Sam Quandahl delivering another solid performance wining first in 109.82 with 8th grader McKenna Marg touching in 3rd. Score 95 – 61.

The 100BR JV looked very promising for the future with Winhawk 8th graders Greer Kosidowski, Razil Campbell and McKenzie Porter finishing 2, 3, &4. The Varsity event showcased Winhawk FR Alexandra Zuelke winning in 1:13.72. Winhawk JR Taylor Johnson brought home the 3rd position and JR. Melanie Jones-McMillan the 5th spot. At this point the Winhawks had the meet won with their 95 points and chose to swim these and the remaining relay as exhibition scoring no points.

The Winhawks entered the 400FR Relay with the meet in the bag. With a carefree air about them, the A & B relays finished first and second. The team of Hailey O’Neil, Reese Galewski, Mackenzie Brosnahan and Alexandra Zuelke finished in 3:58.22 and the Team of Sam Quandahl, Gabby Kleinow, Taylor Johnson, and Bridget Bawek touched out the Austin team by 0.19 seconds!

Winhawks win 95-86.