Hodag swimmers and coaches with the sectional first place plaque. Bob Mainhardt photo

FOR STAR JOURNAL

MENOMONIE – The swim sectional for Rhinelander and 13 other schools took place Saturday in Menomonie. The Hodags won seven events including the three relays, two individual events by Sophomore Celia Francis and one individual event each by Ella Heck and Rylee Mickevicius.   

The Hodags won the sectional for the sixth year in a row scoring 413.5 points followed by Wittenberg-Birnamwood with 232 points.

Swimmers that win an event get an automatic berth at the state meet coming up on Friday Nov. 15. After each of the winners from the sectionals are set, then the next fastest 12 swimmers earn a spot at the state meet.

For Rhinelander, 18 of the 21 entries will be represented at the state meet. All 10 swimmers that swam are either in a relay or individual event.  The 200 yard IM has four Hodags swimming, Celia Francis, Lily Thorsen, Ellyse Younker and Emma Houg.  Younker, Mickevicius and Millie Gruett from the Hodags are all in the 100 yard butterfly.

BOB MAINHARDT PHOTOS