Hodag swimmers win third straight sectional title

The Menomonie High School pool was the site of the sectional girls swim and dive competition. The Hodag girls came in as the prohibitive favorites and did not disappoint as they won the meet with 371 points. Rice Lake placed second with 323 points.

Throughout the meet the Hodags broke five pool records – all relay records, along with Malia Francis breaking the 100 yard backstroke and 200 yard IM records. Both Abi Winnicki and Francis won two individual events and were part of two winning relays.

The Hodags won seven events on the day, giving them seven automatic berths at the state meet on Friday Nov. 12. There were five other events that the girls' times were good enough to also earn a berth  in the state meet.

Besides Malia Francis, the other girls involved in the record breaking were sophomores Karis Francis, Abi Winnicki, senior Noelle St. Pierre, freshman Ellyse Younker  and junior Jenna Fugle.

Photos by Bob Mainhardt