From the fire into the fun

The Winona Winhawks (4-4-0) (3-2-0) host the Austin Packers (1-6-0) (1-4-0), Thursday night in what I predict to be a much lighter atmosphere. As I posted earlier, the Winhawks handled their meeting Tuesday night with great poise and determination. This meet will be a much more fun affair, a close dual where optimism is both warranted and can bloom something great. These two teams are more evenly matched; there will be some awesome races to watch.

The 200 Medley Relay - The Packers team of  Maddie Kinney, Emily McAlister, Merideth Fritz, Heather Johnson have been pretty consistent at 2:01 – 2:03. The Winhawks haven’t been above 2 this season so look for a first here.

The 200 Freestyle features Austin’s big gun Helen Heimark. She was a Class A finalist last year and looking to move up of course. She is consistently 2:04 high to 2:07 so she will give Winhawk Jr. Hailey O’Neill a target to go after. 

The 200 IM has seen a revolving door of entries this year for the Winhawks. On Austin’s blocks will likely be  Merideth Fritz, Emily McAlister, and  Maddie Kinney. All are 2:29 – 2:32 swimmers, so Fr. Alex Arnold and So. McKenzie Porter will need some upperclassman reinforcements, but whom, Perhaps Sr. Co-Captain Alex Zuelke?

The 50 Freestyle will need a Winhawk in the 26 mid to win, perhaps Jr. Emily Thurow is ready for a PB? Austin will likely have Mikayla Finney , Heather Johnson , and Courtney Bogle all on the blocks, swimming 26 high to 27 mid. 

Diving will be over at the middle school. Sr. Co-Captain Crystal Franzwa should continue her winning ways. If Janelle Mueller has an on night (and throws her optionals like she knows she can) she could elbow past  Autumn Laury and they might have a repeat 1-2-4 like Tuesday night.

The 100 Butterfly will continue to be the Reese Galewski show. Thursday she will take on Austin’s Merideth Fritz whose 1:05’s should push Reese. A great race may develop for 3^rd if Austin’s Emily McAlister and Winhawk Fr Hanna O’Neill tangle. Should be fun entertainment!

The 100 Freestyle should be a rematch of the 200 Fr, and will be a GREAT show. Austin’s Heimark has been 56’s all season, Haley just broke 56 Tuesday night flexing her muscles at JM. Enjoy this one, as the race for 3^rd -5^th will be HOT!

The 500 Freestyle has proven to be an Achilles heel for Winona. The 6 minute barrier is a real one and Austin’s Lindsey McAlister and Rachel Vos have both broken through it. Can  a Winhawk venture into new territory? 

The 200 Free Relay – Winona looks better on paper, but look for Austin to be inspired, they have the motors to make this a close race and the B relay to take third unless Winona can start and turn well!

The 100 Backstroke looks like Winona’s Morgan Whyte’s to have if she holds to form. Austin’s Maddie Kinney will be in chase and better watch her back as Winhawk McKenna Marg may just touch her out for 2^nd if she gets inspired.

The 100 Breaststroke will be a great race, for the Winhawks IF Sr. Co-Captain Alex Zuelke races just to keep form as Austin can’t touch her. It could be a 1-2 finish, Winhawk Greer Kosidowski has the times to do it and could keep Packer Jessi Bednar just off her shoulder. 

The 400 Free Relay will likely be Austin’s but it may be too late for the points to help? Time will tell!