Winhawks fall to Faribault

On Tuesday the WInona Winhawks traveled to Faribault to take on the formidable Falcons. Just to see them in the pool, they look like girls on a mission. Last year their string of 13 straight Big 9 Championships was broken, and they appear to desire their crown back.
From the opening the Winhawks knew they were in a fight. In spite of the Winhawk team of JR Samantha Quandahl, FR Alexandra Zuelke., 8th graders Reece Gawleski and Haley O’Neil swimming a season best 2:01.42; they managed a 2nd sandwiched by the Falcon relays.
The 200FR saw Winhawk SO MacKenzie Brosnahan letting Faribault know they were not just going to lie down. She won the race going away in 2:04.51.
The 200IM continued the statement, with FR Alexandra Zuelke winning the hard fought race with a second and a half to spare.
The 50FR was a close hard fought race with JR Bridget Bawek finishing second just 0.05 seconds behind Faribault’s Payton Brasseaur.
Diving went Faribault’s way. With two of the Winhawk divers behind at home (Lianna Hawthorne and Erin Busswell), 9th grader Crystal Franswa and 8th grader Janelle Mueller had excellent evenings but managed just a 3rd & 5th.
The 100FL was a hard fought race, JR Sam Quandahl stuck with Falcon standout Ellie Erickson and she took a solid second in 1:04.94.
The 100FR was another stamp on Winhawk MacKenzie Brosnahan’s stellar dance card. In spite of being a 4 length all out sprint; the race was not close with ‘Kenzie winning in 56.02, a nearly 2 seconds ahead of Faribault.
The 500 FR is a strong suit for Faribault and they took first with a sub 6 minute swim. Winhawk SR Co-Captain Aimee Peterson swam her best 500 of the year taking a solid second in a side by side race with Faribault’s Tess Burkhartzmeyer.
The 200FR Relay was a great race for the Winhawk team of Olivia Staats., Bridget Bawek., Aimee Peterson., and MacKenzie Brosnahan winning in 1:46.70 almost a full second ahead of Faribault.
The 100BK saw the WInhawks just eek out a 3rd.

The 100BR was a close fought race between Faribault’s Emily Behrens and the Winhawk FR Alexandra Zuelke. After swimming side by side for 4 straight lengths Alex touched a close second in 1:13.79. Winhawk JR Taylor Johnson swam a great third swimming her best time of the season.

The Winhawks finished the meet on a high note and won the 400FR Relay just as they have in every dual meet this year. The Winhawk team of Olivia S., Bridget B., MacKenzie B., and Alexandra Z. finished in 3:53.10.

The Winhawks came up short but had some stellar performances and some definate high points to build on. They next take on the Big 9 leading Rochester John Marshall Rockets on Thursday.