The Hatchet swimmers not only reached a solid fifth-place finish in Friday’s GNC Meet held in Lakeland, but Marlee Kiander set the only meet record of the night with a 1:09.85 in the 100 breaststroke.
“The Hatchets went into Friday night’s GNC Invite intent on scoring more than 112 points which was last year’s score,” THS coach Theresa L’Esperance said. “We scored 148 points. Marlee Kiander set a new conference record in the 100 breaststroke, previously held by 2007 Wittenberg’s Taylor Jozwiak with a 1:10.25. Kiander also set a personal record in her 2nd place 100 free finish.
“The 400 free relays both ended up on the podium, a feat not seen by the Hatchets in 7 years. The B Relay all set personal records in their swim and the A relay received Honorable Mention GNC Conference status with their 3rd place finish. (Megan) White swam four season bests in her events helping the 400 relay and the Medley to season best times.”
Kiander won the breaststroke by more than two seconds and finished .18 out of first in the 100 free in :57.28.
The 400 free team of Amanda Koshak, White, Sami Kleich and Kiander placed 3rd in 4:11.11. Koshak ranked 6th in the 500 free in 6:28.54. Sevenths came from: Kelsey Maki in the 100 back (1:12.95); the 200 medley group (Maki, Kiander, White, Hannah Schmit, 2:07.03, edged by .02); and the 200 free squad (White, Schmit, Kleich, Koshak, 1:58.10).
Team standings shook out with Ladysmith/Flambeau (319), Lakeland (280), Colby/Abby (187), Medford (170), Tomahawk (148), Witt/Birn (120), Rhinelander (78).