An atom mopes onto the pool deck, and the coach says, “what’s
wrong?” The atom says, “I lost one of my electrons.” “Are you sure?” says the
coach. The Atom says, “Am I sure? I'm positive!”.
Sorry geek joke I just I had to repeat.
The Winona Winhawk girls’ team saw some positives in going
negative last weekend at the Section 1AA Championships. Swimming is one of the few
sports that employ a taper, i.e. a reducing of the rigors of training, timed to
allow the body to recover and perform optimally in an upcoming competition. It
is part science, part art, as swimmers react differently based on body,
training, events swum and a host of other variables. For the most part, the Winhawks
dropped seconds in swimming to numerous season and personal best times as well as red lining the WInhawk record book a bit!
The 200 Medley Relay was the first indication of some
positive things happening for the Winhawks. The team of Cotter Senior MacKenzie
Brosnahan, Cotter Junior Alexandra Zuelke, and Winona Sophomores Reese Galewski
and Haley O’Neill, broke into the Winhawk top 12 record book with their first swim
of the season. They improved on that 7th fastest slot 4 more times
during the season, but they weren’t done yet. Their prelim time of 1:52.27 move
them up to number 2, right behind last year’s record time from Sections and
would be good enough to go to State IF they could repeat it in Finals. Come
finals night they did one better. Each girl swam a personal best split in
stroking their way to a 1:50.84, not just a new Winhawk team record, (sorry Sam & Lalita, it was short lived), but a solid admittance
to the Big Show, next week at the U of MN, the Girls State HS Championships.
The 200 Freestyle saw more Winhawk drops. Winhawk Sophomore
Greer Kosidowski dropped nearly 3 seconds for a new personal best! Cotter
Sophomore McKenna Marg dropped 4 ½ seconds smashing her personal best. Lastly,
Haley O’Neill dropped over 2 seconds, establishing her new personal best AND qualifying
for Saturday’s Consolation Final. On Saturday she dropped even more time
finishing 12th overall and moving herself up to the 6th
fastest 200 Free by a Winhawk ever.
The 200 IM has been an event of eth future for the Winhawks.
Predominately swum by Sophomores and younger all season. Sectiosn was no
different. Winhawk Freshman McKenzie Porter dropped 3 seconds for a new personal
best, as did Cotter 8th Grader Alex Arnold. Saving the best
performance for last, Winhawk Sophomore Reese Galewski dropped nearly 6 seconds
to not only work her way into the top 12 all time (11th) but also leap
herself into Saturday’s Consolation Final where she eventually held her seed.
The 50 Freestyle featured high performances all the way
around. Cotter Soiphomore Emily Thurow shaved off half a second to establish a
new personal best, Winhawk Sophomore Abbey Quandahl trimes 8 tenths of a second
in establishing her new personal best. The Cotter duo of Alexandra Zuelke and MacKenzie
Brosnahan both qualify for Saturday’s Final, with Alex swimming a personal best.
On Saturday night they pull out all the stops and Alex improves on her time
moving up to 6th fastest WInahwk 50 Free ever and MacKenzie, seeded
6th, staring at the possible end to her season, drops 8 tenths to
finish 3rd UNDER the State Qualifying time and extending her senior
season one more week at the Big Dance!
Diving was conducted over two days. Prelims and Semi’s were
on Thursday during the day. The final 3 dives were performed on Saturday
afternoon during the swimming. With the conclusion of the Semi’s, Winhawk
Freshman Sarah Scherbring was in 13th place. Winhawk Sophomore
Janelle Mueller was in 8th and Winhawk Junior Crystal Franzwa was
sitting atop the leader board with a 27 point lead. Sarah and Janelle both slid
in the final standings but Crystal was a rock opening up a 50+ point lead to
win the diving and ensure her first trip to the diving well in the State
Championships.
The rest of the synopsis tomorrow and a preview of the Winhawks
appearance in the Big Show!
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