“Hey aren’t you a Packer?” “Yeah and that’s Mr. Packer to you Bub!”

The Austin Packers (2-4-0), (2-4-0) are coming to Winona lookin’ for a little respect at the expense of the Winhawks (0-4-0), (0-4-0). Austin’s record includes two losses that were determined in the final event, losing by one and two points respectively. Their other two losses are to Class AA powerhouse Rochester teams, so I suspect the Packers are coming to Winona feeling a little disrespected or maybe misrepresented is a more accurate description. In either case, like determination, frustration can be a heck of a motivator. 

As for the Winhawks, they may be of a similar mindset. After hosting and loosing to a frustrated Owatonna team, (they lost a meet to a last event controversial DQ) then getting beat up by a pair of Rochester Teams, the Winhawks may be looking to say “enough is enough” themselves. What it all boils down to is the makings of a really good Big 9 dual meet!

Sizing up how the meet may progress is a tough assignment. Austin’s long time Coach Lynn Gulbrandson is a master strategist. Looking at his past meets, he uses his swimmers where they are needed in each meet and has created a versatile bunch of young men. One consistent trend is that the Packers do not possess many big guns, just quality swims that score well in the middle of the pack. It is possible to not win any of the 12 events and still win the meet.  The Winhawks will have to look not to Brosnahan, Gorman, Schneider and Dretske but swimmers like Kline, Kleinow, Johnson and Kosidowski to try and pull this one out. 

The 200 Medley Relay looks to fall to the Winhawks if they are healthy. Four of their six swims this year are better than Austin’s best swim but look for Austin to challenge and if not win, take 2-3. 

The 200 Freestyle may feature Austin’s one big weapon. Nick Brehmer is a 1:52 and should give Winona’s Hodd Gorman a good target to aim for.

The 200 IM could be Cal Dretske’s to command, the key will be for Kyle Schneider to place ahead or break up the Austin pack of Ben Carroll, Sawyer Myers, and Ben Carroll who are all in the 2:23 – 2:25 range like Kyle. 

The 50 Freestyle, if he's healthy, should be all Roger Brosnahan. When he touches and looks back, he will look to see if Conner Kosidowski and Alex Kline are ahead or mixed amongst Austin’s Craig Heimark and Carson Hackel.  the middle finishes here will determine the victor.

Diving, taking place over at the Middle School will be another one we wish we could watch. Dan Karnick set an all-time high last week and he will need it against the Austin divers. Winona having only one diver means even with a win, Austin will outscore Winona in diving; it is just a matter of by how much.  

The 100 Butterfly may be THE race to watch Thursday night. Winona’s Kyle Schneider and Sr. Co-Captain Alex Kline will likely be matched against Ben Carroll, Craig Heimark, and Seth Clasen. All are VERY evenly matched and should be shoulder to shoulder for ALL 100 yards. 

The 100 Freestyle should again fall to a healthy Roger Brosnahan going head to head with Nick Brehmer. Austin has two more sub-minute freestylers in Jordan Bentley and Jacob Legried. Connor Kosidowski has the challenge before him, break up the 2-3-4 and enter the Minuteman Club all at the same time. 

The 500 Freestyle, if it plays out as expected, may be the pressure-less event Hodd Gorman has not been afforded in some time. The problem lies in Austin’s having three 5:40ish swimmers that will outscore Hodd 9-6 having no Winhawks to back him up.

The 200 Freestyle Relay will be hotly contested. Winona’s fastest time is less than one second behind Austin’s. The question is, who gets 3^rd to determine the point spread?

The 100 Backstroke will need to have the Winhawks’ Aaron Whyte be in top form. Austin’s Caleb Asay and Carson Hackel have sub 1:08’s and will be looking to upset. Again, with no one to compliment Aaron, the Packers may lose by time but win by points. 

The 100 Breaststroke is a “ditto” of the back only with Cal Dretske in the driver’s seat. Jake Johnson will be the go to guy here looking to break up the Austin duo of Alex Laury and Chris Brown to stay on top in points. 

The 400 Freestyle Relay, if it come down to it, will be the Achilles Heel of Winona. Austin has the depth to have strength here while Winona is typically spent by this point. Let’s hope it doesn’t come down to that!