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