Rhinelander wins seven of 11 events; freshmen have good showing

Tuesday marked the first swim meet of the year for the Hodags. The team made the short trip to the Tomahawk High School to take on the Hatchets. The Hodags are the reigning conference champions but are without two of the top swimmers from last year.

State competitors Nolan Francis and Russell Benoy graduated last year and the Hodags are attempting to fill those spots. The incoming freshman class made a good showing in this first meet as Charlie Heck placed second in the 500-yard freestyle and was part of the winning 400-yard freestyle relay race and the 200-yard freestyle relay.

Another Freshman, Jack Antonuk, won the 500-yard freestyle and was also in the 400-yard freestyle relay race. Antonuk also placed second in the 100-yard breaststroke behind teammate Thaddeus Heck.

The third freshman scoring points was Daniel Gillingham who was also part of the winning 200-yard freestyle relay and 400-yard freestyle. Gillingham also placed second in the 100-yard backstroke and third in the 100-yard butterfly.

In all the Hodags won seven of the 11 events. In individual events, the boys placed first or second in four events.

The final score of the meet was Tomahawk 65, Rhinelander 105. Next for the Hodag swimmers is a trip to Medford Thursday. Photos by Bob Mainhardt.

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Thaddeus Heck swims the breast stroke in the 200 Medley Relay. The foursome of Heck, Joseph Heck, David King and Devon Gaber won the first event of the season with a time of 1:46.63.