Boys State Meet Recap

The Winona Winhawks finished 2010 in the same place they finished 2009. After two individual and two relay events, the Winhawks accumulated 39 points, 8 more than last year but the result was the same, a Team 19th place. Also like last year, in spite of finishing 6th at the Section 1AA Championships, the Winhawks finish 2nd highest among those same teams, bettered only by 9th place Rochester Century. Northfield finished State in 24th, Rochester JM 27th and Farmington 33rd. Owatonna, in spite of finishing Section 1AA 5th in front of the Winhawks, had no qualifiers for state.


The 2010 State meet started with the Winhawk 200 Medley Relay seeded 11th of 25 teams. The Winhawks swam over their seed time, but a time that looked good enough. They announced that Winona had been disqualified. The Winona coaches felt differently. Coach Amy protested to the Meet Manager asking for clarification and a review of not just the call but the swim via a recording by a parent. In the end, the Meet Manager upheld the call by the official based on the details of call made alone. Tape reviews are not an acceptable means of review by MSHSL rules. The missed points could have moved the Winhawk up two possibly three spots in the standings.

The 50 Freestyle had Winhawk Sr. Co-Captain Ryan Whalen swimming from the 3rd seed in Prelims. Ryan had decided to not shave down for prelims. Other wimmers among the higher seeds had chosen not to so as well. For Ryan it meant the 4th seed going into the Championship Final. Ryan swam back up to 3rd place in an All American Consideration time of 21.22 seconds and a new Winona Winhawk team record breaking his own from last year's State meet.

Next for the Winhawks came the other individual event, the 100 Freestyle. Again Ryan Whalen was swimming and seeded 7th. Ryan’s unshaved swim nets him 9th place in prelims, the top seed in the Consolation Final. When Ryan swims in Finals Saturday night he blow away the field in the Consolation Final winning by a body length and a half. His 46.99 would have been good for 4th place had he been in the Final Heat. Ironically though, the point differential would not have moved the Winhawks any higher in the standings.

The last event for the Winhawk was the 20 Free Relay. Entering the Championships they are seeded 10th. Their swim in the prelims nets them the 12th seed and the Consolation Final Heat. Saturday night the boys dig deep with Louie leading out in 23.80, Jonathan follows up with an awesome 22.92. Ryan drops even lower logging a 20.88 for the first time this season and Roger Brosnahan betters his fast prelim, anchoring in a very fast 21.83 for a move up to 11th place in1:29.99 which improves on their Sections wim but keeps them in the 4th spot on the all time fastest Winhawk 200 Free Relays.

It was an exciting and event filled Championships. I made some new friends among the referees I worked with. I got to renew some old friendships with former college classmates and teammates. I met the new coach at my old HS, even got to joke around with my old HS swimming coach about sitting through and actually watching the diving competition. I really enjoy going back for the State Meet.

For more on the meet you can read at:

http://www.startribune.com/sports/preps/86736647.html?page=1&c=y

http://www.startribune.com/sports/preps/86735412.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUeyD8_o8cyaiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiU

http://www.twincities.com/prep/ci_14527828

http://www.twincities.com/prep/ci_14526294