By Bob Mainhardt
For the Star Journal

Rhinelander was the host school for the swim sectional held at the UW-Stevens Point pool in the Quandt Field House Saturday. On paper, the Hodags looked be in control and was expected to win the sectional meet.

The boys did not disappoint as the team won the sectional by more than 100 points and is sending swimmers to Madison on Friday to compete in the state championship meet. Each of the boys who swam in an event bettered their seed times. The relays also cut time off their seed times. Automatic state qualifiers win the events at the sectional meets and everyone else must wait to see what the cut times are to see if they qualify. The Hodags have swimmers participating in seven of the 11 swimming events at state.

The team placed first in several events and has the top seed times at the state meet in the 200-yard medley relay and the 200-yard freestyle relay.

Individually, Nolan Francis has the top seed time in the 100-yard butterfly and second in the 100-yard backstroke. Swimming the 200-yard medley relay at state will be Francis, Thaddeus Heck, David King and Russell Benoy. The 200-yard freestyle relay consists of Francis, Benoy, Joseph Heck and Devon Gaber. Thaddeus Heck, Francis, Gaber, Benoy and King all qualified for individual events as well. Photos by Bob Mainhardt.