Winhawk preview – Offense is the best defense

"Things are not always what they seem; the first appearance deceives many;…………….” said the philosopher Socrates. The Austin Packers Girls’ Swim & Dive Team (1-6-0) (1-3-0) may just fall under that old idiom. 

Last year the Austin Packers were 3-8 in dual meets. They finished ninth in the Big Nine Conference Meet. BUT, they are a Class A school in a Class AA dominated Conference. They finished fifth in the Section 1A Meet and went on to place 24th in the Class A state meet qualifying all three of their relays and 3 individuals. Lastly, Head Coach Lynn Gulbrandson has been at this a long time and knows how to make the most of a line up for dual meet competition.

They have over a dozen returning letter winners and six seniors. Senior Autumn Laury was third in the Class A state in diving in 2012. Senior Merideth Fritz and junior Maddie Kinney were part of the 400 freestyle relay that placed 16th at state. The duo was also part of the 200 medley relay which was 24th. Fritz also competed in the 200 freestyle relay at state (17th) and the 100 butterfly (23rd). 

The Packers strength lies in diving and sprinting right now. This is one of those meets where the races that matter will not be in lanes 3&4, or 4 & 5, but between the outside lanes. The Packers' high performers will be giving the Winhawks all they can handle, but who touches and scores in 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th will matter the most. 

Basically, It’s the Winhawks of the future that will determine the outcome of this meet. Austin got their first Big 9 win last week, they most likely enjoyed it and will be looking for more.  

Notable times from the season for Austin:

200-medley relay: Emma Kleis, Maddie Kinney, Hannah Schemmler, Mikayla Finney (second, 2:06.04); 

200-freestyle: Merideth Fritz (first, 2:11.57); Kristina Thorson (third,2:21.98); 

200-individual medley: Madie Kinney (second, 2:29.28); 

50-freestyle: Heather Johnson (first, 27.05); Abby Gogolewski (second, 27.59); Mikayla Finney (third, 27.77)

Diving: Autumn Laury (first, 200.95); Bailey Corey (third, 149.00); 

100-butterfly: Merideth Fritz (first, 1:04.65); Hannah Schwemmler (third, 1:09.70); Katelyn Hillson (fourth, 1:13.29)

100-freestyle: Heather Johnson (first, 59.01); Mikayla Finney (second, 1:00.99); 

500-freestyle: Kristina Thorson (second, 6:05.68); Paige Sunderman (fifth, 6:37.54); 

200-freestyle relay: Merideth Fritz, Heather Johnson, Hannah Schwemmler, Mikayla Finney (first, 1:46.98); Abby Gogolewski, Hannah Burkhart, Kristina Thorson, Paige Sunderman (fifth, 1:57.15)

100-backstroke: Maddie Kinney (first, 1:07.01); Emma Kleis (second, 1:09.30); Katelyn Hillson (sixth, 1:20.51)

400-freestyle relay: Merideth Fritz, Maddie Kinney, Heather Johnson, Mikayla Finney (second, 3:56.36)