The race to the top!

Don’t let Faribault’s record (3-4-0) (2-4-0) fool you. They have had a tough row to hoe. In the pre-season rankings, Faribault was picked by a number of coaches along with Roch Century to finish right behind Roch JM, Roch Mayo, Mankato West and Albert Lea. Guess who their four losses are to? Roch JM, Roch Mayo, Mankato West and Albert Lea. One of their conference wins is against none other than Rochester Century. 

It has been 6 years since their streak of 13 straight Conference titles was broken. That means that a senior this year started POST streak. Although none of them lived the streak, they are acting as if they want to make it back. 

Faribault finished 6^th at Big 9 last year, up two spots from the prior year. They went on to finish 4^th at Section 1A and 17^th at the Class A State Championships. They come into this season losing only four seniors off that squad. Their entire 200 Medley Relay that finished 10^th at State last year is returning. Their big gun is FINALLY a senior, Cecilia Hake, a three-time All-State swimmer, finished in the top five in the Class A state in two events last year after qualifying in four. She has kicked off this season setting pool records to leave a legacy wherever she goes. 

Besides Cecilia Hake, you can keep an eye on her sister, Lauren Hake a diver. Last year she qualified for state and took 11th overall. Also, Ana Stepaniak, a sophomore breaststroker that was part of the 200 Medley and their 200 Free Relay that qualified for state. Lastly, some of their younger folk, 8th graders Bre Bresnahan ( IM, Breast & Distance) and Megan Gehrke (Free).

Some times to take note of:

200 medley: (Hake, Dubbels, Stepaniak, Behrens) 1:55.81
200 free: Caity Angell 2:10.09
200 IM:  Bre Bresnahan 2:30.52
50 Free: Cecilia Hake 25.20; Ana Stepaniak 27.39; Marissa Olson 27:40
1m dive: Hake 218.45; Vininski 192.1; Steinberg 177.85
100 fly: Ana Stepaniak 1:09.25
100 free: Hake 54.43; Dani Behrens 58.39; Caity Angell 1:00.70; Maddie Evenstad 1:01.43
500 free: Cora Showers 5:57.28; 5:43.79; Bre Bresnahan 5:53.80; Ashley Nelson 6:14.00
200 free relay: (Evenstad, Stepaniak, Angell, Ziegler) 1:50.36; Evenstad, Behrens, Stepaniak, Olson 1:47.69.
100 back: Hake 59.95; 59.72
100 breast: Dubbels 1:15.18; 1:14.74
400 free relay: Hake, Behrens, Showers, Angell 4:02.31; Gehrke, Behrens, Evenstad, Hake 4:09.54

The Winhawks (4-3-0) (2-3-0) are on a roll of late and they too are starting to look like a team that has their eyes on bigger and better things. Their win over Owatonna last week was much more dominant than some had though it would be. The Winhawks had an air of confidence about them that had rarely been witnessed in prior meets or seasons, like they were expecting the outcome rather than just looking up to see what happened. 

Team leaders like Sr. Co-Captains Haley O’Neill, Janelle Mueller and Reese Galewski, being aided by fellow senior Greer Kosidowski have the Winhawks clicking pretty well. The young swimmers are producing and the veterans have been working more on technique and understand that personal bests and wins come AFTER hard work and attention to detail. 

There was a great story on the MSHSL website about these two teams working together during the early season training trip the Winhawks took. They have already swum together AND gotten to know each other. The familiarity, the inter team AND intra team camaraderie, the coaching and the competitive edge should all combine to make this an AWESOME swim meet. 

This meet WILL be worth the trip to Faribault!

6PM Faribault HS Pool.

Like a well-oiled machine……………

Last Thursday the Winhawks went into a meet many thought was a close match-up. They ended up making it look anything but that. There were a few personal bests and season lows, but for the most part there were just good solid swims from the entire line-up. 

The 200 Medley Relay featured the standard line-up of Whyte, Kosidowski, Galewski, and O'Neill and they swam to first with a little bit more drama than desired. Whyte spotted the Winhawks to a body length lead. Kosidowski touched ahead of her competition albeit yielding just a bid. Galewski took the reins and gained back that margin turning loosed O’Neill with clear water ahead. O’Neill capitalized on the smooth water and extended the Winhawk lead another second and a half for a clear and consistent win. (Their last four race times have all been within a half a second of each other). The Winhawk B Relay of Marg, Campbell, O’Neill and Quandahl finished in 3rd to give the Winhawks a good kick-off in points. 

Winona                10           Owatonna           4

The 200 Freestyle added the exclamation point as to what kind of meet this was going to be. Winhawk Sr. Greer Kosidowski went out hard to take the lead at the 50, So. Morgan Whyte right on her shoulder. By the 100 it was Whyte by a hair but Owatonna a distant 3rd. It finished that way with Whyte taking the win, Kosidowski in 2nd. Swimming the 200 for the first time didn’t keep young 7th grader Morgan Drazkowski from maintaining her scoring streak. She was in 5th at the 50 but quickly moved up to 4th by the hundred. She negative split the final 50 like the Winhawks in front of her to finish a decisive 4th. 

Winona                22           Owatonna           8

The 200 IM brought one of Owatonna’s stars to the blocks, Winona’s Alex Arnold needed to dig deep to pull off the upset. Arnold kept it close all the way through, even gaining ground in the Free leg to swim a season low time and second place. Sr. Razil Campbell swam to a 4th place finish and Jr. McKenzie Porter captured the final scoring in 5th. 

Winona                29           Owatonna           17

The 50 Freestyle was a rare SENIOR moment for the Winhawks with a happy ending. Sr. Co-Captain Haley O’Neill in command the entire way to capture the win. Right behind her in a season low time was Sr. Emily Thurow and Sr.  Abbey Quandahl motoring to 4th and a 12-4 edge in points. 

Winona                41           Owatonna           21

Diving was at the Middle School so we didn’t get to see 2012 Big 9 Champion Kalley Schwab perform. Winhawk Jr. Sarah Scherbring dove to second place. So. Emilee Degnan was in 4th and Sr. Co-Captain Janelle Mueller rounded out the scoring in 5th.  

Winona                48           Owatonna           30

The 100 yard fly was all Winhawks. Prior to the meet, the Owatonna coach listed off the Winhawk times from previous meets and said, “What do I swim against that?”  With Owatonna’s  A talent in other events, the Winhawks capitalized and Sr. Co-Captain Reese Galewski, Sophomore Hanna O’Neill and Jr. Kailey Kronebusch finish 1-2-3 with Kronebusch logging a personal best to punctuate the event.

Winona                61           Owatonna           33

The 100 Freestyle saw Owatonna take another tack at trying to knock off Winhawk Senior Co-Captain Haley O’Neill. This time throwing their star swimmer Shaver at her. O’Neill took the race out hard leading by over a half second at the 50 and then held on to win by a hand length. Behind that drama, 8th Grader Alexa Lofgren and So. Alex Arnold were cruising alone to easily pick up 3rd and 4th respectively.

Winona                72           Owatonna           38

The 500 Freestyle was led by Sr. Co-Captain Reese Galewski for the final 450 of the 500 and she set a new season low taking the win. Sr. McKenna Marg battling a bug AND some Huskies swam a solid time to third and Sr. Razil Campbell also swam a good effort to score in fourth for the Winhawks. 

Winona                83           Owatonna           43

The 200 Free Relay was when the Winhawks put the meet out of reach for the Huskies. The A relay of Thurow, Whyte, Kosidowski and O’Neill swam to a season low and first place. Their time was just outside of the Winona Top 12 All-time record book so a great swim for mid-season! In 3rd the gang of Lofgren, O’Neill, Arnold and Quandahl help to future look bright for the Winhawk sprint relay!

Winona                93           Owatonna           47

At the 100 Backstroke if the Winhawks knew the meet was in hand it didn’t show as So. Morgan Whyte swam to a solid win and Sr. Abbey Quandahl touched 2nd in a season low time. Not to be outdone, 8th grader Alexa Lofgren touched 4th also in a season low time. From here on out the Winhawks score exhibition having the win in hand.

Winona                93           Owatonna           60

The 100 Breaststroke was a great race. Sr. Greer Kosidowski gave it a good run placing 2nd and learning what she needs to do come Big 9 time. Behind her in 3rd with a personal best was 7th grader Annika Anderson followed by Sr. Emily Thurow scoring 4th.

Winona                93           Owatonna           73

The Winhawks get no points for it swimming exhibition, but they finish the meet going 1-2-3 thanks to a DQ by the Huskie A relay during an exchange. It still doesn’t change the scoring and the Winhawks prevail. 

FINAL SCORE

JV

Winona                93          Owatonna           72

Varsity

Winona                93           Owatonna           85

Next up – The Winhawks travel to Faribault for a real contest of the Big 9 "up and comers". The Falcons will be a huge test for the Winhawks.

Hmmmmmm, we might be on to something here………………..

The Winona Winhawks (3-3-0) (1-3-0) went into Austin with fewer bodies than usual due to illness, but those that did show up were anything BUT depleted. Austin too was suffering from wellness issues, and the Winhawks took advantage of it and them!

The Winhawks had numerous season low times and personal best times. Were they inspired by their meet at Mayo last Tuesday, not likely? The Football team’s near comeback Friday, also unlikely. Dressing up line debutants and dancing the night away Saturday night? Hmmmm, maybe we are on to something here. Perhaps positive mental attitude (PMA) with the girls goes beyond just happy thoughts? Maybe dressing up and stepping out is the key? At any rate, the Winhawks have their first Big 9 victory and might want to consider spiffing up for the day on Thursday before taking on Owatonna. Nevertheless, I digress; here is how Tuesday night in Austin played out!

The Winhawk Junior Varsity meet was MORE entertaining than the Varsity meet. If you were watching the races and match-ups, many had you on the edge of your seat. For that reason, and that they deserve some mention, but I do not always have the time, I will include their results here as well. 

200 Medley Relay

The Winona JV team of Jessica Kohner, Kylie Konkel, Abbey Wehman, and Kennedy Kolaas took it out hard. Kohner swam a personal best and handed her teammates a 2+ second lead in a great backstroke leg. Konkel also swam a personal best to hold off the charging Packers and handed the lead off to Wehman. Abbey matched her opponents leg with a few hundredths to spare and Kolaas hit the water knowing her chaser was right on her shoulder so she swam a new personal best free split to secure the victory for the Winhawks!

The Winhawk Varsity appeared to set out to make a statement. The relay of Morgan Whyte, Greer Kosidowski, and Sr. Co-Captains Reese Galewski and Haley O’Neill swam up to the usual standards and won handily. Not to be outshone, the Winhawk B Relay took it out hard as well. McKenzie Porter led off with a personal best backstroke split, handing her teammates a 2 ½ second lead over Austin B Relay but right behind Austin’s A relay. Razil Campbell went next swimming just off her personal best adding to the lead over Austin B and overtaking the Austin A relay. Hanna O’Neill left the blocks comfortably in 3^rd and gunning for 2^nd place. Her fly split MATCHES that of Austin A Relay and now the race is up to the newest of Winhawks, Morgan Drazkowski. They swim side-by-side the entire 50 and Winona B gets touched out by 4 one hundredths settling for 3^rd place

Winona JV                          8             Austin JV              6

Winona Varsity                 10           Austin Varsity     2

The 200 Freestyle saw a couple of youngsters trying their first 200 Free in competition. 7th Grader’s Lauren Whyte and Annika Anderson both went out hard and placed 2^nd & 3^rd respectively. Elly Olsen scored in 5^th. The Varsity heat had Sophomore Morgan Whyte showing the poise and swimming her own pace. Down by a tenth at the 50, she overtook Austin’s Senior Co-Captain over the next 50 and never looked back in setting a season low time. Right behind them Sr. Greer Kosidowski was burying her competition in a solid third and also a season low time!

Winona JV                          16           Austin JV              14

Winona Varsity                 19           Austin Varsity     9

The 200 IM for the JV was all Winona literally and Zoe Kingsmore and Janessa Burch, swimming their first IM events placed 1-2. The Varsity event was all Winona too, but due to out swimming their opponents. So. Alex Arnold touched first, Jr. McKenzie Porter touched 2^nd and Sr. Razil Campbell touched 3^rd for a Winhawk 1-2-3 sweep!

Winona JV                          26           Austin JV              14

Winona Varsity                 32           Austin Varsity     12

The 50 Freestyle saw the JV swim personal bests across the board. Sela Kosidowski, Kaza Pozanc, and Lilly Beyer all swam new bests finishing 4-5-6 respectively. The varsity needed muscle as sprinting is something Austin can do and Sr. Co-Captain Haley O’Neill was up to the task touching in first. 8^th Grader Alexa Lofgren edged out a two one hundredth margin to claim the point for 5^th!

Winona JV                          29           Austin JV              27

Winona Varsity                 40           Austin Varsity     20

Diving for JV was all exhibition. Varsity saw Sr Janelle Mueller take 2^nd place and Jr. Sarah Scherbring on the strength of a very pretty reverse dive pike, just edge into a 3^rd place finish. Freshman Claire Conway rounded out the scoring for Winona taking 5^th.

Winona JV                          29           Austin JV              27

Winona Varsity                 48           Austin Varsity     28

The 100 Butterfly in the JV event was a pair of first time entries for Natasha Lewis and Sela Kosidowski resulting in 2^nd & 4^th place respectively. Varsity saw Sr. Co-Captain Reese Galewski run away from the field to touch first while flirting with the 1 minute barrier. So. Hanna O’Neill placed 3^rd for the clear edge in event points 

Winona JV                          35           Austin JV              36

Winona Varsity                 57           Austin Varsity     35

The 100 Freestyle JV saw Sr. Kennedy Kolaas smash her personal best and out-touch the field to place first. 8^th grader Abbey Wehman was right behind her taking a big chunk out of her previous personal best to place 4^th. In varsity, the Winhawks were again too deep for the Packers. Sr. Co-Captain Haley O’Neill led wire-to-wire well ahead of the pack. So. Alex Arnold touched in 3^rd swimming a season low time and 8^th Grader Alexa Lofgren secured 5^th place.

Winona JV                          43           Austin JV              44

Winona Varsity                 67           Austin Varsity     41

The 500 Freestyle was a rare domination by the Winhawks. The JV was all Winona with Jessica Kohner swimming a new personal best for 1^st place. Elly Olsen and Kylie Konkel both swam distance for the first time and placed 2-3^rd respectively. In the Varsity heat, Sr. Co-Captain Reese Galewski led the way taking first and Sr. Razil Campbell ground out an inspired victory overtaking and passing the Austin swimmer midway to record a season low and 2^nd place. Rounding out the Winhawk point barrage was young Morgan Drazkowski in her first official 500 scoring in 4^th place. 

Winona JV                          56           Austin JV              44

Winona Varsity                 79           Austin Varsity     45

The 200 Free relay was Austin’s moment in the sun. The Winhawk JV relay of Sela Kosidowski, Natasha Lewis, Zoe Kingsmore, and Kaza Pozanc took 2^nd. IN Varsity the Winhawk A relay of Lofgren, Arnold, Kosidowski, and O’Neill placed 2^nd.

Winona JV                          60           Austin JV              54

Winona Varsity                 83           Austin Varsity     55

The 100 Backstroke JV featured Winhawk 8^th Grader Abbey Wehman distancing herself from the field for a 3 body length win. Scoring for Winona also was Zoe Kingsmore in 4^th and Janessa Burch in 5^th. Varsity was a similar story with Sophomore Morgan Whyte winning handily in a season low time. Having then set the standard, close behind was Jr. McKenzie Porter in 3^rd with her season low time and scoring in 5^th also swimming a season low personal best was the youngest Whyte, 7^th grader Lauren!

Winona JV                          69           Austin JV              61

Winona Varsity                 93           Austin Varsity     61

The 100 Breaststroke for JV was a group of firsts. Freshman Jessica Kohner took first in a new personal best. Sophomores Natasha Lewis and Lilly Beyer, swimming the event for the first time score points in 2nd and 5^th respectively to add to the Winhawk lead! In Varsity, we saw Sr. Greer Kosidowski having her way with the field winning by yards (not feet) and behind her one of the happier surprises of the season, 7^th grader Annika Anderson in second place in a new personal best time.

Winona JV                          80           Austin JV              66

Winona Varsity                 99           Austin Varsity     70

The 400 Free Relay saw both JV and Varsity with insurmountable team scores and both Winhawk relays placed 2^nd swimming with the meet well in hand.

Final scores

Winona JV                          84           Austin JV              76

Winona Varsity                 99           Austin Varsity     82