This Saturday, the Section 1AA True Team Meet hosted by the Winona Winhawks

Saturday both the Winona Middle School and the Winona Senior High pools will be churned up as five teams join Winona to compete in the Section 1AA True Team Meet.

True Team Meets are a concept put together by coaches to truly gauge the depth of their teams. Unlike a dual or invitational where a team is limited to 3 entries, in the True Team Meet format, a team is allowed to enter as many swimmers as they want, and the event scores all of the swimmers entered. There is a restriction on how many events a swimmer can be in, This format allows the Section teams to enter all their swimmers and truly gauge their depth against the other entire teams.

Joining Winona in the pool will be fellow Section 1AA combatants Rochester John Marshall, Rochester Century, Owatonna, Faribault, and Farmington.

Rochester John Marshall is undefeated in dual meets coming into this week with a second place finish in the Lakeville Relays and a first place finish in the Packer Invitational last weekend. They are a very strong squad led by the Fujan sisters, JR Catlin and SR Brianna. 9th gr Alison Schumacher set a pool record Thursday evening in the 50FR, at 24.48 and diver JR Megan Lawson will place high over at the Middle School as well.

Rochester Century swam twice this week and I suspect they won those contests, putting them at around 8-1 on the season. Their only loss coming to Rochester JM. Perhaps they will be a little worn out and the other teams can capitalize. Winona swam against them back on 9/15 and lost 95-87. The Century swimmers to keep an eye on include Sr. Kathleen VanDeVoorde BK, Jr. Jennifer Strom BR, Jr. Claire Anderson FL, and SR. Gretchen Heidorn FR.

Owatonna came away from the Packer Invitational last weekend in a 3rd place tie with Rochester Mayo behind, .....wait for it, Rochester JM and Rochester Century. Athletes to watch include Sr. Erica O’Neill in the 100FL & 100BK, SR Diver Samantha Kniefel has been scoring well all season and SO Lindsey Price will look to score high in the 500FR.

Farmington comes down from the edge of the TC Metro area where they swim in the Missota Conference (as did yours truly wayyyyy back when). Watch for SR Kristin Peters, a standout in the 200 & 500 FR.

Faribault at 7-1 also only has one loss, to the same foe Roch Century did, and that would be Roch JM. Look for Rochester JM Rockets standouts SR. Jenna Peanasky in the 200FR, Diving keep an eye on JR. Chelsea Borwege and come distance time, JR Ellie Erickson in the 500FR.

Lastly the Winona Winhawks enter the meet 6-1 and ready to defend their home turf. They haven’t been in competition for 8 days and I believe they are ready to take on all comers. Watch for SO Mackenzie Brosnahan to make a statement early, SO Oliva Staats had a stand out evening in their last meet and I would look for her to continue that trend. FR Alexandra Zuelke will lead the charge in the 100BR and JR Utility swimmer Samantha Quandahl will be contributing in the BK and plugged in where ever the squad needs her most. 8th gr diver Crystal Franswa will get her first chance to make a statement in front of the Section 1AA talent she will see in again in November. Winona should score some big points from their sprinters in the 50FR, 100FR, 200FR Relay and 400 FR Relay, when JR Bridget Bawek, SR Co-Captain Aimee Peterson, and 8th gr Haley O’Neil hit the water. The younger talent will be able to score in this meet as well, 8th graders Reese Galewski and Gabby Kleinow will be high in the standings and will help the team cause.