Lincoln County’s girls swim teams met up last Tuesday in the PRMS pool in a perfect event for two under-sized squads.
The Hatchets pulled out a 95-71 dual, buoyed by sweeps of the 200 IM and 500 free events.
Kelsey Maki (2:45.94), Jamie Sterr (2:52.76) and Michaela Galganski (2:53.35) paced the 200 IM, while Maki (6:26.00), Hannah Schmit (6:37.54) and Sterr (6:50.14) led the 500. Marlee Kiander and Katherine Russell also went 1-2 in both the 100 fly (1:09.47/1:14.18) and 100 back (1:09.96/1:14.11).
“The Merrill meet was nice because we were able to switch up our events and still swim very well,” THS coach Theresa L’Esperance said.
As for Merrill, “Tonight didn’t go as well as I thought it would,” MHS coach Bethany Martinovici said. “We had many races that were easily given to Tomahawk. We were lacking the energy and drive I see normally. Tomahawk swimmers are very well rounded and tough.
“On the up side, I was very pleased to have arranged a meet with Tomahawk. Their team is very close to our size and competition level. We were excited to see the outcome and will be continuing the dual in years to come.”
The Bluejays took the top two spots in the 50 free with Courtney Kolehouse (:27.51) and Jourdyn Mootz (:27.90), and also won the 100 free (Mootz, 1:04.30), 100 brea (Kolehouse, 1:20.53) and 200 free relay (Kolehouse, Megan Koelsch, Mootz, Jennica Jahnke, 1:54.16)
“Along with the sprinters, the 200 free relay had another fantastic race tonight,” Martinovici said.
Other MHS 2nds: Koelsch (200 free, 2:28.76); the 200 medley (Kolehouse, Mootz, Jahnke, Robin Opsahl, 2:10.83); the 400 free (Tori Engel, Koelsch, Taylor LaBorde, Opsahl, 4:44.78). Thirds: Engel (200 free, 2:35.05); Opsahl (100 fly, 1:15.28); Koelsch (100 free, 1:05.87); Mackenzie Baacke (100 back, 1:20.39); Jahnke (100 brea, 1:27.12); 200 free (Opsahl, Miranda Jahnke, Olivia Wilmink, Baacke, 2:06.23).
Other THS 1sts: Sami Kleich (200 free, 2:24.39); 200 medley (Maki, Kiander, Russell, Sterr, 2:06.57); 400 free (Schmit, Maki, Kleich, Kiander, 4:22.44). Runners-up: Kleich 100 free, 1:04.85); Michaela Galganski (100 brea, 1:22.66); 200 free (Kleich, Schmit, Mary Galloy, Galganski, 1:58.50). Thirds: Schmit (50 free, :28.70); 200 medley (Galloy, Galganski, Taylor Hansen, Heidi Massa, 2:22.08); 400 free (Hansen, Russell, Sterr, Cassie Silvernale, 4:45.15).
Rapids challenge
The Bluejays lost a 99-53 dual to Wis. Rapids on Thursday in their metered pool with no starting blocks.
“Despite starting in the water and the girls thinking it was going to slow them down, the starts and transitions of relays looked smooth,” Martinovici said.
Kolehouse (:32.71) and Mootz (:32.95) paced the 50 free. Opsahl was 3rd in the 200 IM (3:15.47), as was the 200 free (Kolehouse, J. Jahnke, Koelsch, and Mootz, 2:12:48).
Hodag deadlock
The Hatchets ended up in a rare tie with Rhinelander on Thursday, in an 85-85 meet.
“I needed one more swimmer (Hansen), who was home sick,” L’Esperance said. “Losing the 200 free relay (by 3/100ths) was not expected. Rhinelander swam great and we swam the fastest time in two years, even including sectional times.”
Wins came from: Kiander (100 free, :56.55/100 brea, 1:11.41); Russell (200 IM, 2:38.31/100 back, 1:10.88); 200 medley (Maki, Kiander, Kleich, Schmit, 2:05.72). Seconds: Maki (100 fly, 1:14.19/100 back, 1:11.49); Galganski (50 free, :28.62); Kleich (500 free, 6:36.43); 200 free (Galganski, Schmit, Sterr, Kiander, 1:52.05); 400 free (Kleich, Sterr, Maki, Russell (4:22.23). Thirds: Schmit (200 IM, 2:45.00/100 free, 1:04.23); Schaper (50 free, :30.46); Kleich 100 fly, 1:15.08); Galganski (100 brea, 1:23.12); 200 medley (Russell, Galganski, Schaper, Silvernale, 2:16.23); 200 free (Massa, Schaper., Galloy, Silvernale, 2:06.11)