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