Its time for a border battle

Its time for a border battle

The next hurdle for the Winhawk Girls Swimming & Diving Team will come from across the river. The Onalaska/Holmen/Aquinas Girls Swimming Team is coming to town.

They are a cooperative team as their name implies and swim Division 1 Section 1 against the likes of the Eau Claire Teams, Menomonie, Hudson and as far north as Superior.

This meet will have some tests for the Winhawks and shouldn’t be regarded as a “skip practice” day.

The 200 Medley Relay will be closely contested and set a fun tone for the evening. The Winhawks A Relay of Senior Co-Captain Samantha Quandahl, Cotter Junior Alexandra Zuelke, Freshman Reese Galewski and Sr. Co-Captain Bridget Bawek posted a 1:57 in Owatonna and they will need that type of effort. The OHA Relay of SR Brooke Reynolds, JR Megan Sisson, SR Stephanie Bowman, SR Emilie Klos, are the team heavyweights and swam a 1:58.36 over a month ago in a dual meet.  

The 200 Freestyle appears to have a window of opportunity for some younger Winhawks to step up and have big nights. 

The 200IM will be a tough contest. OHA Senior Brooke Reynolds Advanced to the Wisconsin State Championships last year and can swim a 2:23 which bests anything the Winhawks have posted this season.

The 50 Free will not be a cake walk as well. OHA Sr.  Emilie Klos is posting 26’s with FR Allison Carlisle right behind her in the 27’s. Sr. Co-Captain Bridget Bawek and Season Surprise Junior Lalita Charungchainanon need to be on.

The divers do get a free ride as at last check OHA has no divers. The Winhawks will take the 13 points and say thank you very much! Plus the divers can stage a one sided event and get back to the HS in time for Parent Night Festivities!

The 100 Butterfly will again be an awesome contest. Winhawk Freshman Reese Galewski swam her best time ever Tuesday night and she’ll face OHA Senior Stephanie Bowman who will push Reese. There will be lots of room for a young Winhawk like Sophomore Ashlen Haines or Bluffview 7^th Grader Hanna O’Neill to shine in a 3^rd spot!

The 100 Free will see the return of OHA Sr. Emilie Klos so the Winhawks will have to counter. Maybe Parents Night will entice Sr. Co-Captain Bridget Bawek to drop under 57 or Senior Taylor Johnson to join the Minuteman Club?

The 500 Freestyle will be an even battle for one meet and perhaps a chance for a young Winhawk to shine at the Varsity Level. Both 8^th Grader McKenzie Porter and Sophomore Grace Ell have the ability to take this event.

The 200 Free Relay could be a source of good points for the Winhawks. They have more depth than OHA.

The 100 Backstroke brings OHA Sr. Brooke Reynolds back to the blocks. She advanced to the WI State Meet last year placing 16^th in 1:00.91 and is doing 1:02’s right now. Again the Winhawks don’t have a counter for that and will have to plan on 2-3-4.

The 100 Breaststroke will be a good opportunity for Cotter Sophomore Alexandra Zuelke to continue getting her racing form back. She should get a good race out of OHA’s JR Megan Sisson both are in the 1:03 range.

The 400 Free Relay should be the Winhawks to win if they still need it.

Next up, Section 1AA True Team meet in Faribault on Saturday.