WIAA Division 2 state swim meet
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: University of Wisconsin Natatorium, Madison
MONROE-NEW GLARUS QUALIFIERS
Maddie Hammer: 100 freestyle
Nina Schiro: 500 freestyle, 100 backstroke
400 freestyle relay: Skylar Lassen, Emily Meritt, Schiro and Hammer. (Alternate is Cammi Ganshert.)
MONROE - Four members of the Monroe-New Glarus swim team will get their chance to compete at the WIAA Division 2 state meet on Friday at the University of Wisconsin Natatorium.
It's the most state qualifiers for the Cheesemakers since 2009 when the Cheesemakers had four swimmers in six events and finished 23rd out of 38 teams at state.
The state meet qualifiers for the Cheesemakers are sophomore Nina Schiro (500-yard freestyle, 100 backstroke), junior Maddie Hammer (100 freestyle) and the Cheesemakers' 400 freestyle relay team, which includes Monroe senior Skylar Lassen, Monroe sophomore Emily Meritt, Schiro and Hammer.
"They are in this position because of all the hard work they put in the last three years," Monroe-New Glarus coach Linda Moser said.
Lassen has been working for four years in high school to qualify for state. She's soaking in the moment and looking forward to swimming Friday night.
"It's really a big honor," Lassen said. "I've been waiting for this. I'm so happy I made it to state my last year of high school."
The best chance at a medal may come from Hammer, who is seeded seventh in the 100 freestyle (54.09 seconds). Hammer was the last swimmer to qualify for state. Two years ago as a freshman, Hammer was a state qualifier in the 100 freestyle and 100 breaststroke.
"It's definitely a relief to make it back to state after I missed last year, especially getting a relay to state," Hammer said. "I feel like I definitely have a chance to get in the top six."
Grafton senior Mallory Fox is the top seed in the 100 freestyle (51.18).
McFarland sophomore Alexandra Moderski is looking to repeat her state titles in the 50 and 100 freestyles. She set state records in both the 50 and 100 freestyles last year. Moderski has the top qualifying time in the 50 freestyle (23.56) and has the second-fastest qualifying time in the 100 freestyle (51.72).
Schiro is seeded 15th in the 500 freestyle (5:33) and 100 backstroke (1:01.90).
The Cheesemakers' 400 freestyle relay is also seeded 15th (3:49.24). Moser said it's the fastest time the Cheesemakers have swam in the 400 freestyle relay in about 10 years.
"Their goal is to have each swimmer drop one second," Moser said. "I would be happy if they each drop a half second."
Lassen said the goal in the 400 freestyle relay is breaking the school record of 3:45.
"It just really seems like it's possible if all four of us cut time," she said. "Maddie and Nina are swimming individual events before the relay. They will have to make sure they have enough energy for the relay. It's more of a mind game now. Emily and I will be sitting until that event. We have to be ready for that event. If we continue with the taper this week and work hard we should be able to pull it off."
The state meet will be a family reunion of sorts for Meritt. Her older sister, Anna Meritt, will be there to cheer her on. Anna Meritt is a freshman music education major at the University of Wisconsin.
"I feel very privileged to be at state with these girls," Emily Meritt said. "I'm excited to see if our times improve. I think I will get really nervous. It will be great."
Madison Edgewood, the defending Division 2 state champion, qualified for 16 events in the state meet. Edgewood junior Kelly Rodriguez, the defending state champion in the 200 freestyle, enters as the top seed (1:51.03). She also won a sectional title in the 200 individual medley. Edgewood senior Lauren Bergmann is seeded first in the 100 butterfly (57.16). Bergmann finished third at state in the 100 butterfly last season.
Hammer has had some advice for her teammates with the biggest meet of their prep careers coming up Friday.
"I told them about how hectic it (the state meet) is," Hammer said. "The experience of going is amazing. Everyone there is really supportive of one another."
It's the most state qualifiers for the Cheesemakers since 2009 when the Cheesemakers had four swimmers in six events and finished 23rd out of 38 teams at state.
The state meet qualifiers for the Cheesemakers are sophomore Nina Schiro (500-yard freestyle, 100 backstroke), junior Maddie Hammer (100 freestyle) and the Cheesemakers' 400 freestyle relay team, which includes Monroe senior Skylar Lassen, Monroe sophomore Emily Meritt, Schiro and Hammer.
"They are in this position because of all the hard work they put in the last three years," Monroe-New Glarus coach Linda Moser said.
Lassen has been working for four years in high school to qualify for state. She's soaking in the moment and looking forward to swimming Friday night.
"It's really a big honor," Lassen said. "I've been waiting for this. I'm so happy I made it to state my last year of high school."
The best chance at a medal may come from Hammer, who is seeded seventh in the 100 freestyle (54.09 seconds). Hammer was the last swimmer to qualify for state. Two years ago as a freshman, Hammer was a state qualifier in the 100 freestyle and 100 breaststroke.
"It's definitely a relief to make it back to state after I missed last year, especially getting a relay to state," Hammer said. "I feel like I definitely have a chance to get in the top six."
Grafton senior Mallory Fox is the top seed in the 100 freestyle (51.18).
McFarland sophomore Alexandra Moderski is looking to repeat her state titles in the 50 and 100 freestyles. She set state records in both the 50 and 100 freestyles last year. Moderski has the top qualifying time in the 50 freestyle (23.56) and has the second-fastest qualifying time in the 100 freestyle (51.72).
Schiro is seeded 15th in the 500 freestyle (5:33) and 100 backstroke (1:01.90).
The Cheesemakers' 400 freestyle relay is also seeded 15th (3:49.24). Moser said it's the fastest time the Cheesemakers have swam in the 400 freestyle relay in about 10 years.
"Their goal is to have each swimmer drop one second," Moser said. "I would be happy if they each drop a half second."
Lassen said the goal in the 400 freestyle relay is breaking the school record of 3:45.
"It just really seems like it's possible if all four of us cut time," she said. "Maddie and Nina are swimming individual events before the relay. They will have to make sure they have enough energy for the relay. It's more of a mind game now. Emily and I will be sitting until that event. We have to be ready for that event. If we continue with the taper this week and work hard we should be able to pull it off."
The state meet will be a family reunion of sorts for Meritt. Her older sister, Anna Meritt, will be there to cheer her on. Anna Meritt is a freshman music education major at the University of Wisconsin.
"I feel very privileged to be at state with these girls," Emily Meritt said. "I'm excited to see if our times improve. I think I will get really nervous. It will be great."
Madison Edgewood, the defending Division 2 state champion, qualified for 16 events in the state meet. Edgewood junior Kelly Rodriguez, the defending state champion in the 200 freestyle, enters as the top seed (1:51.03). She also won a sectional title in the 200 individual medley. Edgewood senior Lauren Bergmann is seeded first in the 100 butterfly (57.16). Bergmann finished third at state in the 100 butterfly last season.
Hammer has had some advice for her teammates with the biggest meet of their prep careers coming up Friday.
"I told them about how hectic it (the state meet) is," Hammer said. "The experience of going is amazing. Everyone there is really supportive of one another."
