| Huskies get ready to swim for state |
By: IAN STAUFFER
istauffer@owatonna.com
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Posted: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 10:41 pm
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Owatonna ninth-grader Madelyn Thein swims during a meet earlier this season. Thein will swim on two relay teams at the Section 1AA Girls Swimming & Diving Meet on Thursday and Saturday in Rochester.
OPP file photo
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OWATONNA — There is one streak Martha Bloomenrader would like to keep going this weekend at the Section 1AA Girls Swimming and Diving Meet, but there is another the Huskies’ coach would like to end.
Owatonna has sent two relay teams to state the last two years, and Bloomenrader wants that to continue this season. The Huskies haven’t, however, sent an individual swimmer to state since 2005 or an individual diver since 2006. That streak Bloomenrader would like to put to a stop.
“Minnesota, I’m proud to say, has one of the fastest state meets in the nation,” Bloomenrader said. “That’s something to be proud of. It also means you have to be incredibly talented and fast to get there.”
Owatonna’s best chance to put an end to those streaks lies with senior Erica O’Neill (50-yard freestyle, 100 backstroke) and senior diver Sam Kniefel. Kniefel was in line to qualify for state last year, but she missed her final dive and finished fifth at sections, one spot away from state. O’Neill also came close last year, but finished third and missed out by one spot in the backstroke. Only the top two finishers in each race are guaranteed a spot.
“It would mean a lot for me to get to state like (OHS graduates) Jamie (Hood) and Kasey (Anderson),” Kniefel said. “It’s what I’ve worked hard for the last two years. I came close last year. I just think I need more confidence and focus. Last year I let some things get in my head. That won’t happen this year.”
Junior Caitlin Schneider (butterfly) and sophomore Elise O’Neill (breaststroke) also have strong chances to qualify.
“Trying to qualify for individual races, it’s a lot more pressure,” said Schneider, who swam at state on relay teams the last two years. “There is a lot of excitement, but more because you want it so bad. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anything this bad.”
Owatonna’s medley relay team will comprise Erica O’Neill (backstroke), Elise O’Neill (breaststroke), Schneider (butterfly) and ninth-grader Madelyn Thein (freestyle). The O’Neill sisters and Schneider were both part of the team last year. Thein is replacing Lindsay Eggermont, who now swims at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Thein will also replace Eggermont on the 200 freestyle relay team.
That team will also have Schneider, Erica O’Neill and senior Allison Kienholz, who were all on the state team last year. Thein will swim the anchor leg. The cut times for state are determined by averaging the top 16 times from state the year before. In every event, the cut times are lower this year than last year. In many cases, the state cut times are actually faster than the school records at OHS. None of Owatonna’s swimmers or relay teams have beat the state cut times yet this season, but Bloomenrader thinks her girls will be ready at sections.
“This is the meet that on Day 1, we talk about,” the coach said. “It’s the one we do all the hard yards for. It’s the one we put all our energy into. It’s kind of why we’re here.
“The girls are tapered and ready. First we have to get (to the finals). We have to get through prelims (Thursday), then get ready, and then do it again in the finals. This is just the first step.”
The prelims are Thursday. The top 16 swimmers in each event qualify for the finals on Saturday. Both events are held at the Rochester Rec Center.
For the seniors, sections mean their careers are coming to an end.
“We know it’s almost over, but it’s still fun throughout the season,” Kienholz said. “Each meet is the last one. The last Big Nine, the last sections. It’s kind of bittersweet.”
As the final few practices count down, Schneider said things get more fun. “You miss the JV girls, but there’s nothing like the varsity team,” she said. “Everyone is ready to swim. We’re pumped up. The practices get shorter, we do a lot more sprints. You definitely miss it when it’s over.”
For the Huskies, that could be this weekend or it could be next week. It’s really up to them.
“Swimming is a unique sport,” Kienholz said. “There is a team, and you have that connection with your teammates, but when you get in the water, it’s just you. You can only worry about yourself. It’s a lot more pressure, but you just swim as fast as you can. It’s all up to you.” |
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