Border Battle Part Deux!

The reason I say that is the many “rematches” from the meet a year ago in Onalaska. The results of those rematches help to explain the Winhawks coming out on top of this edition. That and the Onalaska Coaches rumored to be crying out as they left WSHS, “Divers, my kingdom for some divers!”

The 200 Medley Relay was the exact same roster for OHA as they entered in 2012. The difference was that they were victorious this time around. The Winona foursome of Morgan Whyte, Greer Kosidowski, Reese Galewski, and Haley O’Neill touched just behind them.

Winona                4             OHA       10

The 200 Freestyle was one of those anticipated rematches. For the Winhawks, Sr. Co-Captain Haley O’Neill; for OHA, the Junior Marlee Pronschinske. Last year Haley went out in the lead and faded, while Marlee held her splits. This year? It was Haley in the lead again and never looked back even negative splitting her final 50 to take the win handily. Not coincidentally, the race for 3^rd - 4^th was also a rematch. Winona Sr. Greer Kosidowski and the OHA So. Merrisa Larson.  The result mirrored their teammates. Greer was 4^th last year but now led from the start and distanced herself from the OHA swimmer by the end. 

Winona                13           OHA       17

The 200 IM was a repeat of last year, a strong suit of the OHA veterans, Winona So. Alexandra Arnold places 3^rd and Sr. Razil Campbell places 5^th. 

Winona                17           OHA       29

The 50 Free saw OHA throw in Carlise and Williams same as last year. Graduated Winhawk Alex Zuelke broke up their performance last year but not now. The Winhawks’ So. Morgan Whyte placed 3^rd, Sr Emily Thurow placed 4^th and 7^th Grader Morgan Drazkowski scored in 5^th. 

Winona                23           OHA       39

Diving was an all Winhawk event as OHA does not have diving facilities. In Onalaska the diving was left out, but here, the Winhawks girls competed and added to the total significantly. Sr. Co-Captain Janelle Mueller led the way scoring a personal best. The divers nearly even the score!

Winona                36           OHA       39

The 100 Butterfly was Sr. Co-Captain Reese Galewski’s time to shine while re-enacting rematch number 3. Not only did OHA throw last year’s winner, Pronschinske at her but Linzmeyer too for good measure. This year was a new ballgame though. Reese and Linzmayer touched at the 50 in a virtual tie, Pronschinski out of the picture. Galewski powered her way through the 75 and drove home taking the win by over a half a second. Winhawk Hanna O’Neill was behind the lead pack touching in 4^th to keep the point total even 8/8. 

Winona                44           OHA       47

The 100 Freestyle was rematch number 4. Last year it was Haley O’Neill, Carlise, Alexandra Arnold with the difference between 1^st -2^nd only 11 hundredths! This year, Carlise touched first. Haley 2^nd, Alexandra 3^rd and Sr. Razil Campbell places 4^th in a rare sprint appearance! Her contribution brings the Winhawks to within a point of OHA.

Winona                53           OHA       54

The 500 Freestyle was rematch number 5. Last year OHA’s Larson was the victor touching out Sr. Co-Captain Reese Galewski by 8 tenths. This year, the Senior co-captain for the Winhawks took the race out in the lead and held it wire to wire. Larson finished in 3^rd behind a teammate. Winhawk 8^th Grader Alexa Lofgren touches in 4^th and Jr. McKenzie Porter in her first distance event of the year touches in 5^th scoring for Winona. The 1-4-5 puts the Winhawks into the lead for the first time!

Winona                62           OHA       61

The 200 Free Relay was one of the few events with MANY new faces squaring off but the result was the same. The Winhawk A relay of Galewski, Thurow, G. Kosidowski and M. Whyte touched first leading from the start. The Winhawk B Relay of Kailey Kronebusch, Abbey Quandahl, McKenzie Porter and Ashley Brommerich scored in 3^rd to put some buffer between the two teams’ scores. 

Winona                72           OHA       65

The 100 Backstroke was a great race, naturally because it was re-match number 6! Last year, Williams of OHA took the win with Winhawk Morgan Whyte 18 hundredths behind her. This year? Williams went out quick touching at the 50 in the lead, Whyte behind her by 6 tenths. The final 50 saw Whyte surge holding her tempo and passing Williams in the final 15 yards to take the win by nearly a half second! Behind them was Winhawk Sr. Abbey Quandahl holding off two OHA swimmers to take 3^rd and add some additional pad to the score!

Winona                81           OHA       72

The 100 Breaststroke saw Winhawk Sr. Greer Kosidowski put her undefeated streak on the line. Alas, OHA was succumbing to dwindling numbers; the Winhawks were too deep for them. Not only did Greer maintain her winning streak, but also Winhawk 7^th grade sensation Morgan Drazkowski was behind her in 2^nd and 8^th Grader Alexa Lofgren placed 4^th. The 8-point differential was the backbreaker for OHA; it put the meet out of reach for them. 

Winona                93           OHA       76

The OHA 4x100 relay, identical to last year’s winning relay, was saved for the final event, but it was for naught. They won again going away, but the Winhawks swam their three entries exhibition, as OHA could not score enough points to catch them.

Final Score

Winona                93           OHA       88

Nest up, the Blaine Bengal Invitational  Saturday Sep 14 at the Northdale Middle School Pool in Coon Rapids. Diving (an 11 dive Championship event) in the AM. Swimming afterward.