Winhawk Girls make the trek to Albert Lea

Winona Winhawks (2-0) have a long trip to Albert Lea (0-1), and it may be a hard trip as well.

Albert Lea resembles the Winhawks of last year, only one senior and only half the squad in high school. But they also resemble them as having some very talented youngsters.

If you are on the fence about making the trek to the Tiger Pool, you might miss out on a heck of a swim meet!

Albert Lea is 0-1 after losing their season opener to Rochester Century 99-80. Don’t be deceived by the score. Century, due to their numbers, may have won by attrition. Albert Lea had six girls swim excellent times , 7th Grader Lindsey Horejsi in the 200 free and the 500 free, 9th Grader Hannah Hertling in the 100 breaststroke, Sophomore Kemma Bergland in the 100 free and 100 backstroke, Juniors Morgan Field in the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke, Galen Schulz in the 50 free and 100 free and senior Amy Horejsi in the 50 free and 100 butterfly. Against Century they won the 200IM, the 100 Free in 58.63, and the 100 Breaststroke. Their lead diver won as well, Sophomore Karli Kriewall with a score of 178.25.

The Winhawks will have to be on their game to pull this one out. The depth of their squad and the relay results will be the key to winning what appears to be a tough dual meet.

A sub 2:00 minute 200 Medley relay out of Senior Co-Captain Samantha Quandahl, Cotter Sophomore Alexandra Zuelke, Freshman Reese Galewski and Freshman Hailey O’Neil will be a necessity. Watch right behind them for the second relay of Cotter Freshman McKenna Marg, Senior Taylor Johnson, Bluffview 7th Grader Hanna O'Neill, and Cotter Freshman Emily Thurow trying to get the additional 2 points, we’ll need them!

The 50 & 100 Free events, usually a strong suit for the Winhawks will require perfect executions by the likes of Senior Co-Captain Bridget Bawek and Freshman Haley O’Neil.

It is at Albert Lea so guess what, WE GET TO SEE DIVING! It will be a good show and look for Winhawk Crystal Franzwa to dig deep and win the battle of the Sophomores.

The 500 Freestyle is anyone's guess. Possibly Senior Co-Captain Samantha Quandahl will get the tap on the shoulder again joined by Freshman Gabby Kleinow and 8th Grader McKenzie Porter. The event is a definite vulnerability in the Big 9 conference, most teams are cranking out fast young distance swimmers.

The 200 Free Relay of Sr. Taylor Johnson, Sr. Bridget Bawek, Freshman Haley O'Neill, and Junior MacKenzie Brosnahan will need to swim a season best AGAIN to get the 8 points. As in prior meets, the second Winhawk relay of Cotter 7th Grader Morgan Whyte, Cotter Freshman Emily Thurow, Cotter 7th Grader Alex Arnold, and Freshman Gabby Kleinow getting the additional 2 points could be critical.

100 Backstroke could be one of those events where the Winhawks score some heavily needed points. But who will coach Burt hold out to save for this event?

100 Breastroke will put some pressure on Cotter Sophomore Alexandra Zuelke and Senior Taylor Johnson to dig deep depending on what the score is at this point.

Last but not least, the 400 Free Relay could decide it all. Senior Co-Captain Bridget Bawek, Freshman Reese Galewski, Cotter Junior MacKenzie Brosnahan and anchor Cotter Sophomore Alexandra Zuelke will have to duplicate their performances of the prior meets to possibly put the Winhawks over the top against the home town Tigers 400 Free relay team of Lindsey Horejsi, Mady Dahl, Whitney Rasmussen and Kemma Bergland.