WSHS Swimming Great John Fox to be added to the WSHS Hall of Fame.

Attention all swimmers, Saturday October 1^st at 1PM WSHS will induct this year;s nominees into the WSHS Athletic Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held in the High School Multipurpose Room. The event is open to the public.   Among some very fine athletes in this year’s group is Swimmer John Fox.

Fox, a 1979 graduate, was one of the best swimmers in the state of Minnesota during his time. Fox won a state title in the 100 breaststroke and in the process broke the Minnesota state record becoming the first person to break a minute in the event.

John Fox has passed away but his family will be there to accept the award posthumously and it would be great to have some of the swimming family there to show our support!

I am already committed to refereeing and swimming invitational out of town or I would be there for sure. I hope you can all turn out in numbers to show our appreciation for paving the way for today’s Winhawk Swimming & Diving.

Who you callin’ Husky Bub? No no, you’re not husky, the Winhawks beat the Huskies!

Sometimes you just gotta hit the road to clear your head, re-group, re-focus. The Winona Winhawks did just that Tuesday night making the long trek to Owatonna. Home meets are different, where the swimmers & divers filter in from different post school directions and there is a disjointed hum about preparations and warm-up. A long away meet trip gets the kids together, in a group, to talk, to think, to become cohesive in the task before them, like out swimming & diving the Huskies.  

The Winona Winhawks (3-2, 2-2) made their 2^nd longest trek of the 2011 season Tuesday night, leaving their final school period early to head out for a dual meet against the Huskies of Owatonna (2-4, 2-3). It was a trip filled with trepidation. The Huskies have been hot as of late, swimming some decent individual times as well as placing relays. They beat Faribault and Albert Lea, fought Rochester Century really tough. The Winhawk Coaches knew they had a tough meet ahead of them, maybe their closest match of the season. There were a few empty seats on the bus. Mid-season illness is a common occurrence in swimming & diving. School work, activities, family life and swimming/diving can often combine to drag a system down and be susceptible to colds and flu. No, this was not going to be a walk in the park.

The 200 Medley Relay had the potential to start the meet off with a nail biter. Coach Burt not wanting to try and second guess Owatonna leads out with his “go to” relay of Cotter Senior Mackenzie Brosnahan, Cotter Junior Alexandra Zuelke, paired with Winhawk Sophomores Reese Galewski and Haley O’Neill. Owatonna pulls a fast one and concedes the event with a lighter line-up, saving heavy guns for later. The mighty Winhawk “A” Relay wins by a pool length. The Winhawk “B” relay gets DQ’ed and the Winhawks have a slight edge in points. 

Winona                8                            Owatonna           6

The 200 Freestyle was another battle of the line-ups with the coaches guessing who the other coach will throw at them. Coach Burt sticks with his lead 200 swimmer Sophomore Haley O’Neill and she produces her best time of the 2011 season for the win. Following behind in 3rd is Cotter Sophomore McKenna Marg and Winhawk Sophomore Greer Kosidowski 4th and swims her best time of the season for a huge 11-5 point differential. 

Winona                19                          Owatonna           11

The 200 IM is where Coach Burt decides to strategically place Brosnahan for her second swim of the evening and it tips the scales for the Winhawks as she takes the win easily by ½ a pool length.  The big bonus is Galewski who swims her fastest IM of 2011 and swings the points spread in Winona’s favor. 

Winona                28                          Owatonna           18

The 50 Freestyle was a great match-up that wasn’t supposed to happen till later. Zuelke and O’Neill were supposed to have a showdown in the 100 Breast but as they approached the blocks for the 50 they realized Act one was about to take place. 26 seconds later Zuelke wins this first duel with tenths to spare. The great show came right on their heels. Cotter Sophomore Emily Thurow swims a new personal best to secure 3rd place and provide the Winhawks their 4^th straight event points win. 

Winona                37                          Owatonna           25

Diving was both exciting and in front of everyone. I don’t have list details but Winhawk Junior Crystal Franzwa emerges the victor with Sophomore Janelle Mueller scoring but just missing 4^th place by 2 points. 

Winona                44                          Owatonna           34

The 100 Butterfly was predicted to be the Reese Galewski show and she wins going away by a pool length in her fastest time of the season. Again the middle swimming Winhawks make the big difference and Winhawk Junior Ashlen Haines swims a new personal best time to easily take 3^rd and the Winhawks take their 9-7 differential to the bank! 

Winona                53                          Owatonna           41

The 100 Freestyle was another major step up to the plate and deliver moment for the Winhawks. Sophomore Haley O’Neill smokes the competition winning the sprint in over 2 ½ seconds. Not wanting to yield ground, Thurow swims a new personal best for 4^th place and the Winhawks score the event 8-8.

Winona                61                          Owatonna           49

The 500 Freestyle was the next place for Winona Coach Burt to short circuit the Huskies’ plans. Possessing 2 sub 6 minute swimmers; Owatonna looked to start a comeback. Enter Winona Cotter star MacKenzie Brosnahan swimming the 500 for the first time in 2011 and taking the win only 2 seconds off her all time personal best. Winhawk Freshman McKenzie Porter adds to the Winhawk score finishing 5^th.

Winona                68                          Owatonna           58

The 200 Freestyle Relay saw the Winhawks favored and they lived up to their billing. Zuelke, Thurow, O’Neill and Brosnahan win with room to spare. 

Winona                76                          Owatonna           64

The 100 Backstroke was expected to go to Senior Lindsey Price of the Huskies but Cotter Sophomore McKenna Marg was inspired and followed behind in 2^nd in a new personal best time. On her heels was Cotter 8^th Grader Morgan Whyte and Winhawk Sophomore Abbey Quandahl. The 2-3-4 finish outscores the Huskies and all but puts the meet out of reach. 

Winona                85                          Owatonna           71

The 100 Breaststroke was round two but the featured event of the Zuelke/O’Neill match-up. Alexandra takes the race out strong and is a half second up at the 50. From there the Cotter Junior out muscled her opponent and takes the win with a full 2 seconds to spare. But, it was the middle swims that again made the difference. Winhawk Sophomore Greer Kosidowski swims her season best time followed by Cotter 8^th Grader Alexandra Arnold and their 4-5 finishes ice the meet putting it out of reach for the Huskies. 

Winona                94                          Owatonna           78

The 400 Freestyle Relay was a moot point. The Winhawks had used up their “A” swimmer entries to secure the win. The Winhawks' "A" relay swims tough to take second place but their exhibition entry yield’s the 12 points to Owatonna.

Final Scores

Junior Varsity

Winona                71                          Owatonna           102

Varsity

Winona                94                          Owatonna           90

Next up, the Winhawks’ second home meet of the year, Oct 4^th at WSHS, 6PM.

Hey Joe, you better come over here and pay some attention, they’re taking this serious.

Last year’s Winhawk (2-2, 1-2) versus Huskie (2-3, 2-2) dual was the Winhawks’ meet by the time the 100 Breaststroke was completed.  This year, they will be wishing for that. Graduation can have dire effects on the Big 9 rivalries and this one is no exception. The notch in the win column tends to go back and forth with these two depending on graduation, youth and the sick call sheet. I quit trying to predict entries and match-ups in these pre-meet posts as it is just too hard to predict. The coaches put a lot of analysis into where to plug there swimmers in to count what their adversary may do. My conjecture of what the match-ups may be is just a lot of useless typing.

The Huskies this season have shown some fortitude, including upending Faribault in a dual for the first time in 19 years. Their kids believe in themselves. 

Date	Opponent	Site	Score
9/1/2011	Northfield  (1A)	Owatonna H.S.	87-99	L
9/6/2011	Faribault (1A)	Owatonna H.S.	91-87	W
9/8/2011	Albert Lea  (1A)	Albert Lea H.S.	95-91	W
9/15/2011	Rochester Century  (1AA)	Owatonna H.S.	90-96	L
9/17/2011	Panther Relays	Lakeville Kenwood Trail Junior H.S.	11th
9/20/2011	Rochester Mayo  (1AA)	Rochester Mayo H.S.	76.5-105.5	L

The 200 Medley Relay will be hotly contested and should set a great tone for the rest of the meet. Owatonna has carded a 1:57 this year; the Winhawks best is a hair under that. 

The 200 Freestyle may need some bolstering up for the Winhawks, Senior Husky Lindsey Price has swum a 2:06, 8^th Grader Mattie Shaver a 2:10.

The 200 IM has been a big boost for the Winhawks this year and they will need to keep it up. Owatonna Lindsey Price has a 2:26.37 under her belt, Junior Madelyn Thein a 2:28.78.

The 50 Freestyle, I know I always say is a coin flip. This meet it may just be the Winhawks’ first big chance to score some point differential. Starts and turns will tell the tale in the end. 

This meet is at Owatonna Middle School so we ALL KNOW what that means, YOU GET TO WATCH DIVING!!!! (I am sorry to say I will not get to take it in. I will be refereeing in Rochester Tuesday night helping out a friend) but, those of you that are there will get to see great competition. Husky Senior diver Kiana Leer has a 208.50 to her credit and Junior Ashley Kniefel a 169.05. They will give Crystal and Janelle a great test.

The 100 Butterfly can also be some points for the Winhawks. A deciding factor numerous times already this year, the middle swims will tell. The Huskies have two swimmers in the 1:09, 1:11 area that could either neutralize the Winhawks' Reese Galewski win or fall victim to an awesome performance from a Winhawk up and comer. 

The 100 Freestyle will be a tough race and the Winhawks will have to buckle down to not yield any advantage they have built by now. 

The 500 Freestyle too may well be the Huskies point bonanza unless Coach Burt applies one of his big guns yielding points elsewhere. Owatonna 8^th Grader Mattie Shaver has a 5:50.32to brag about and Senior Elise O'Neill has a 5:46 in the books.  

The 200 Freestyle Relay may well be the Winhawks’ if everyone is healthy and shows up. If the Winhawk “B” Relay can put 4 swims together they may help build up some point differential. 

The 100 Backstroke may be a major challenge for the Winhawks. The Huskies have some quality backstrokers leading with Price’s 1:02.34 she swam against Century. 

The 100 Breaststroke should once again feature the Winhawks’ Alexandra Zuelke versus the Huskies’ Elise O’Neill. An annual match-up that will come to a close this year, (O’Neill is a Senior), and she is swimming in the 1:13’s so Alex should be able to win this episode. 

The 400 Freestyle Relay is always the guessing game of which coach left enough swimmers in the tank to take it if necessary. Owatonna has carded a really QUICK 3:58 this year so if it comes down to the end, the Winhawks will have their hands full.

The meet is at 6PM at Owatonna MIDDLE School for all you away meet rookies. I always drive to the North side of town on I-35 Take exit 43, County 34/NW 26^th Street. Take that over to St. Paul Road and take a right (south) for a ½ mile, it’s on the left.

I'm tellin' ya Joe, they ain't human. I keep swimmin' personal bests, and they just keep comin'!!!

A hundredth here, a tenth there, they all add up to what coulda been.

The Winona Winhawks (2-2, 1-2) couldn’t quite match the depth of the Century Panthers (3-3, 3-1) in Thursday night’s loss, in spite of some great individual wins, swims and performances.

The 200 Medley Relay was the Winhawks from early on. Winhawk Sophomore Abbey Quandahl swam the opening backstroke keeping things very close. Cotter Junior Alex Zuelke came out smoking and handed Winhawk Sophomore Flyer Reese Galewski a nearly 4 second margin. The Anchor leg was swum by Sophomore Haley O’Neill and the Winhawks took the win on the first event.

Winona                8             Century                6

The 200 Freestyle was a tough tough race and evidenced just how tough Century was going to be in the Middle and long distances. In spite of Galewski swimming an all-time  personal best, Cotter Sophomore McKenna Marg swimming her second best time of the season, and Winhawk Sophomore Greer Kosidowski swimming her best time ever, The Winhawks go 4-5-6 respectively to Rochester’s 1-2-3 by 3 tenths. 

Winona                11           Century                19

The 200 IM was another win for the Winhawks as Zuelke swims her quickest IM of the season for a 3 body length lead. Cotter 8^th Grader Alexandra Arnold swims a personal best time to secure the 5th place points.

 

Winona                18           Century                28

The 50 Freestyle also went the Winhawks’ way with O’Neill winning in a new personal best time. Cotter Sophomore Emily Thurow also swims a new personal best time placing 4^th against the toughing Century Panthers. 

Winona                26           Century                36

Diving was a great show with four Winhawk divers scoring personal bests and one just a hair off. Winhawk Junior Crystal  Franzwa took second place on the strength of her Reverse 1 SS with 1 ½ Twists that she scored 6’s and a 5 on followed by her Forward 2 SS Pike for straight 6 ½’s. Her total of 220.35 was a new personal best. Winhawk Sophomore Janelle Mueller also had a good night garnering a 6 and 5’s on her Front 2 SS Tuck and 5’d on her Back 1 ½ SS Tuck. Her total of 170.85 was a new personal best and secured her 4^th place. Freshman Sara Scherbring was only a few points off her all time high as well and buttoned down the 5^th place scoring. Topping the sundae, JV Divers Claire Conway (1st) and Brynn Strange (2nd) also scored preseason best totals!

Winona                33           Century                45

The 100 Butterfly was just a great race to watch. Galewski was right with the Century leader and only off by 7 tenths of a second at the 50. Reese pours it on and out splits the Century swimmer making up all by one tenth of a second to touch second in a season best swim. Bluffview 8^th Grader Hanna O’Neill swims an all-time personal best placing 4^th. Winhawk Ashlen Haines finishes in 6^th but shaves 3 seconds off her previous best time from just a week ago!

Winona                39           Century                55

The 100 Freestyle saw Cotter Sophomore Emily Thurow cruise to a 2^nd place finish chopping 1 second off her previous best time ever. 

Winona                44           Century                66

The 500 Freestyle was a display on how Rochester seems to always develop great distance swimmers. Winhawk Hailey O’Neill swims a new personal best but manages only 4^th place. Winhawk Sophomore Razil Campbell swims her low time of the year, to bring home 5^th place. 

Winona                47           Century                79

The 200 Freestyle Relay was a true nail biter from start to finish. Zuelke leads things off and swims her fastest 50 leg ever and hands the Winhawks a 2 second lead. She is followed by Thurow and then Galewski and followed by Hailey O’Neill. They all swim at or near their best time s yet yield ground. At the end the Winhawks are touched out by an agonizing two one hundredths of one second. 

Winona                51           Century                89

The 100 Backstroke Sees Cotter Sophomore McKenna Marg swim a personal best in talking 2^nd place. 

Winona                60           Century                95

The 100 Breaststroke was another great race to watch and very close race all the way through. Zuelke was shoulder to shoulder with the Century standout swimmer just getting touched out by 14 one hundredths. 

Winona                73           Century                95

The 400 Freestyle relay was Winona’s for the points as Century had started swimming exhibition back in the 100 Backstroke. 

Winona                85           Century                95

"I'm tellin' ya Joe, it's the middle swimmers ya gotta watch. They make ya or break ya every time!"

Thursday night the Winona Winhawks (2-1, 1-1) travel to Rochester to go up against the Panthers of Rochester Century (2-3, 2-1). 

Results to date for both teams include:

Century

Date	Opponent	Site	Score
9/1/2011	Maple Grove  (8AA)	Rochester Mayo H.S.	83-95	L
9/6/2011	Mankato West  (1A)	Rochester John Marshall	86-99	L
9/8/2011	Faribault (1A)	Faribault H.S.	97-84	W
9/15/2011	Owatonna  (1AA)	Owatonna H.S.	96-90	W
9/17/2011	Panther Relays	Lakeville South H.S.	7th
9/20/2011	Farmington  (1AA)	Rochester John Marshall	78-96	L

Winhawks

Date	Opponent	Site	Score
8/30/2011	Menomonie	Menomonie	100-75	W
9/1/2011	Mankato West  (1A)	Minnesota State Univ - Mankato	90-96	L
9/13/2011	Faribault (1A)	Winona H.S.	98-86	W
9/17/2011	Apple Valley  (2AA)	Valley Middle School	2nd Place

Century has a good team as always, but maybe lacks the depth of last year from the looks of the results so far this year.

Events with some good contests to watch for include:

200 Freestyle      Lexi Shinn a 2:08, Nina Tabatabai has clocked a 2:10.

200 IM                 Erica Perkins 2:23,

Diving,                  Andrianna Jacobs had a 187 early then posted a 215.10 for a new                 Century  Team Record

100 Butterfly      Nina Tabatabai 1:04.58

500 Freestyle      Alexandra Shin 5:35.78

100 Backstroke  Megan VanDeVoorde 1:09.58.

100 Breaststroke Erica Perkins1:12.31, Christina Drexler 1:11.95.

There look to be some good match-ups with the Winhawks. 

As always, when the Winhawks are away what does that mean? WE GET TO WATCH DIVING!!! This event too looks to have a great match-up with Century 8^th Grader  Andrianna Jacobs and Winhawk Jr. Crystal Franzwa.

6PM at the Rochester Mayo pool!!

Girls Swimming & Diving Big 9 Standings to date

Big Nine Standings		Overall			Big 9
Teams	W	L	T	W	L	T
Rochester John Marshall	3	0	0	3	0	0
Mankato West	3	1	0	2	1	0
Owatonna	2	2	0	2	1	0
Rochester Century	2	2	0	2	1	0
Rochester Mayo	2	1	0	2	1	0
Winona H.S.	2	1	0	1	1	0
Albert Lea	2	2	0	1	2	0
Austin High School	1	2	0	1	2	0
Mankato East/Loyola	1	3	0	0	2	0
Faribault	1	3	0	0	3	0