What’ ya mean they’re Husky? Don’t be callin’ ‘em names now, we’ll get an unsportsmanlike called on us.

The Owatonna Huskies (1-3-1, 1-3-1) come to Winona to take on the Winona Winhawks (0-1-0, 0-1-0) in the first dual meet since the end of the Holiday Break. Owatonna managed to squeeze in a meet during the break, a heart breaker loss to Mankato East due to a jump in the final relay that denied points they needed for the win. Winona has had a clear schedule since December 17^nd, so it is anybody’s guess how the teams will come up to the blocks. Eager, rusty, determined, maybe all of the above.

200 Medley Relay

The Huskies have posted 3 solid times so far this season that should give them the edge in this event. 

200 Freestyle

This should be a great race. Huskie Junior Mark Holzerland has posted consistant 1:59’s so far this season. The Winhawks’ Sophomore Hodd Gorman has a 2:00 flat under his belt and depending on how Christmas Break training went, should give the Huskie a run for the wall. 

200 IM

In a battle of the sophomores, watch for Winhawk Cal Dretske to battle the Huskies’ Quentin Slagter. It will be a back and forth battle, Slagter is a backstroker and Cal is a breaststroker so the back and forth will need to either even out or establish a leader by the freestyle. Cal will need to kick it up a full notch to take the win but we’ve seen him do it before. 

50 Freestyle

Owatonna Junior Cole Martinez has posted a 23.99 this season but Winona Sophomore Roger Brosnahan’s been quicker, is swimming at home and I am guessing he hates to lose. 

Diving

As always for home meets most of us won’t get to watch Diving and that is a shame. Both Cotter Senior Dan Karnack and Huskie Sophomore Zach Dantzman have been posting identical scores around 160. Whoever is on Thursday night will win this competition but look for Dan to capitalize on the home board advantage. 

100 Butterfly

Huskie Junior Kellen Glynn is their lead butterflier posting 57’s all season long. Unless Coach Schulz does some major shuffling I don’t think the Winhawks have a counter to this. Look for the Winhawks to press for the mid-points to mitigate the damage.

100 Freestyle

This should be Cotter Sophomore Roger Brosnahan’s race going away. What will matter is what his teammates do to score points in the middle of the pack. 

500 Freestyle

A repeat match-up of the 200 Free, this time the two athletes will slug it out over 20 lengths. Owtonna’s Junior Mark Holzerland started the season with a 5:45 but just swam a 5:28. Winona’s Sophomore distance stud Hodd Gorman has a 5:31 & 5:29 so far, so watch for the fireworks! The longest race of the night could very well be the best race of the night.

200 Free Relay

This could be a fun race to watch depending on line-ups. Owatonna has logged 1:39, 1:37 & 1:37 so far this season. Winona has got as low as 1:38 depending on line-up. So the question is, who will be behind the block for Winona?

100 Backstroke

Winona will hopefully have a lead going into this event as Owtaonna has a pair of guys, Martinez & Slagter that swim 1:02 & 1:03 respectively. Cotter Sophomore Aaron Whyte will have to buckle down to prevent the sweep here. 

100 Breaststroke

Huskie Junior Kellen Glynn should be going head-to-head with Winhawk Sophomore Cal Dretske. Their seeds will be within a second, so look for a neck & neck race that will be decided in the last 5 yards. 

400 Freestyle Relay

I think the Winhawks just don’t have the depth as the Huskies have been posting 3:42-3:44 to the Winhawks’ 3:48 – 3:50. If the meet come down to this point, Winona will have to get PUMPED up. Owatonna has been bitten by the jump bug this season so don’t count anything out.