Photos by Bob Mainhardt

Sectional swim meets were held in the state Saturday to determine state qualifiers for Friday’s Division 2 finals at the Waukesha South High School pool.

Three of the four sectionals were held in two locations instead of one to aid social distancing for the safety of participants. There were no spectators at the meet and there was a limit of five teammates on the deck for each event to cheer on the competitors/

The Hodags swam at home against five other teams. Medford hosted the other half of the sectional with six teams.

The Hodags have at least one entry in each event – with two in the 100 yard butterfly, sisters Malia and Karis Francis. The medley  relay swimmers were Lisa Kennedy, Noelle St. Pierre, Makenna Winnicki and Karis Francis. In the 100 yard backstroke Malia Francis and Lisa Kennedy will be competing, while in the 200 yard IM three Hodags, Makenna Winnicki, Lisa Kennedy and Karis Francis will be swimming at state.

The Hodags, who placed first in eight of the 11 events, had the highest point total for the sectional scoring 387 points with Rice Lake second at 301 points.

The Hodags will have 15 total entries at the state meet.

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Freshman Abi Winnicki waits for the referee to signal for swimmers to get on the blocks for the start of the 200 yard freestyle Winnicki placed first, broke the pool record and will be swimming in the event at state. Winnicki also placed first in the 100 freestyle event.