Off to Owatonna for what may be the closest meet of the season.

For a few seasons now, it seems that the Winona Winhawks (4-3, 3-3) and Owatonna Huskies (4-4, 4-3) are in each others faces. Invariably the two teams are battling each other more than the rest of the field at Big 9 and Sections. Last year’s dual contest, almost one year ago exactly, came down to the end of the meet. While the 100 Fly brought the Winhawks within striking distance of the Huskies, a 21-11 point differential in the Back & Breast put the meet just out of reach for the 4x100 relay sprinters. Owatonna prevailed 97-89. This year should be just as closely contested.The main difference in their records this year is that Owatonna has already faced all the big bad Big 9 foes, JM, Century & Faribault. Winona Still has Faribault to tackle.

For 2010 Owatonna brings back 5 Seniors and 7 Juniors, a total of 36 swimmers & divers in all. Both their 200 Medley Relay and 200 Freestyle Relays went to the Class AA Meet last year. The Medley placing 17^th and missing the Saturday Finals by 0.85 seconds. The Free placed 12^th, two spots behind our own 10^th place Winhawk relay of Alexandra Zuelke, Aimee Peterson, Bridget Bawek and MacKenzie Brosnahan.

The pool is at the Owatonna Middle School. Contrary to the up close bleachers of the Rochester Schools, Owatonna is an elevated grandstand, a good 6-8 feet above the pool deck. You are up next to the ceiling where it is a little darkened. It tends to fill up so don’t be late!

The 200 Medley Relay will be the first indication of how things will go. The Winhawks A Relay of Senior Co-Captain Samantha Quandahl, Sr. Taylor Johnson, Freshman Reese Galewski and Sr. Co-Captain Bridget Bawek have been up & down the past few weeks, mostly swimming 1:59’s. This time they will need to be up. The Husky team of Lindsey Price, Elise O’Neill, Caitlin Schneider, and Madelyn Thein posted a 1:56.72 last week.

The 200 Freestyle may be a rare opportunity for the Winhawks to score some 200 Free points. Freshman Haley O’Neill has been strong and could touch first again.

The 200 IM has been a rough event for the Winhawks all season and this may be a repeat. A number of Huskie swimmers have posted low 2:30’s and even a 2:28. If Cotter Sophomore Alexandra Zuelke is up to it, and Cotter Jr. MacKenzie Brosnahan gets plugged in here, they could turn this event around for the Winhawks.

The 50 Freestyle is normally a strong suit for the Winhawks but in the Big 9 they are all strong sprinters. A number of Owatonna Swimmers are posting 26’s so it will come down to whom has the best starts and turns. Look for Sr. Co-Captain Bridget Bawek to rise to the occasion and dip into the 25’s.

Diving will be a fun event to watch. Winona’s Sophomore Crystal Franzwa was scoring in the low 200’s but had a recent bout of illness. Owatonna’s Freshman Kalley Schwab and Jr. Kiana Leer have both broken the 200 barrier in recent weeks so we should be in for a good show.

The 100 Butterfly will be another opportunity for Winhawk Freshman Reese Galewski to score maximum points. Huskies Standout Sr. Caitlin Schneider was a Section Finalist last year and is getting into form. If Reese pushes her they may go wire to wire.

The 100 Freestyle could be a Winhawk points windfall unless Huskies Head Coach Martha Bloomenrader robs from some other events to prevent it. The Winhawk Trio of Sr. Co-Captain Bridget Bawek, Jr. Lalita Charungchainanon and Sr. Taylor Johnson could score some big points.

The 500 Freestyle could be raising its ugly head again. Owatonna has had 3 different swimmers post 5:50ish times in the last few weeks. The only counter Head Coach Steve Burt has to that is Freshman Haley O’Neill. Sr. Co-Captain Sam Quandahl has been in that zone but she may be saved for the 100 Back later.

The 200 Free Relay will depend on which Winhawk Relay shows up. Will it be the Season low 1:43 from last week, or the 1:46 of the week before, both swum by the same line-up. Owatonna has a 1:47 under their belt so it may be close but look for the Winhawks to bring this home.

The 100 Backstroke was the start of the end for the Winhawks last year and I am guessing Sr. Co-Captain Sam Quandahl will have none of that this year. Look for Cotter 7^th Grader Morgan Whyte to shine and help the cause.

The 100 Breaststroke was a great race last year with then Freshman Winhawk Alexandra Zuelke getting touched out. Alexandra has just returned to the pool after an injury so she may test Owatonna’s Elise O’Neill and it is anyone's guess who will touch out whom this year.

The 400 Freestyle Relay should be the Winhawks’ race to have. Their consistent 3:50’s are better than the 4:00+ times the Huskies have been posting.

It will be close, but if the Winhawks are fired up, they could pull off the win!