MONROE - Skylar Lassen will put on a pair of tights and two swim suits like the other Monroe-New Glarus girls swim team members this week, trying to get an edge as they taper for the WIAA Division 2 Baraboo sectional meet on Saturday.
Lassen, a senior at Monroe, is entering the final lap of her prep swimming career. She's one of two senior captains guiding the Monroe-New Glarus swim team into one of the state's toughest Division 2 sectionals in Baraboo. The Baraboo sectional features No. 1 ranked Madison Edgewood and No. 2 ranked McFarland.
"Obviously, we will all look to cut time," Lassen said. "How much time depends on the swimmer. The harder you work during the taper, the more time you can cut."
The sectional champion in each event will advance to state as well as the next 12 fastest times from every sectional combined.
The top finish for the Monroe-New Glarus girls swim team at the Badger South Conference meet was the 400-yard freestyle relay team which finished fourth. Many of the same Badger South and Badger North Conference teams will be in the Baraboo sectional. The Cheesemakers' 400 freestyle relay team is seeded fifth heading into the sectional.
Lassen said because the high school state meet is so hard to qualify for, striving to improve times is the key. She's not giving up on her dream to swim at state.
"I could see us having a chance to go to state," Lassen said of the 400 freestyle relay. "We have all been working really hard. I could foresee us doing really well as a team."
The competition the Cheesemakers will see in the sectional will be like a state meet itself: McFarland sophomore Alex Moderski has the fastest Division 2 time in the state this year in both the 50 freestyle (23.49), 100 freestyle (51 seconds). Moderski has the fourth fastest time in the 100 breaststroke (1:09.2) and the fifth fastest in the 100 backstroke (1:00.99).
Madison Edgewood's Kelly Rodriguez has the fastest Division 2 time in the state in the 200 individual medley (2:09.75) and the second fastest time in three other events including the 100 freestyle (52.78), 200 freestyle (1:53.71) and 500 freestyle (5:08.04). Edgewood's Lauren Bergmann has the fourth fastest time in the backstroke (1;)0.55) and sophomore teammate Kaitlyn Barth has the fourth fastest time in the 100 freestyle (53.26).
"It's definitely stressful on us," Lassen said. "We make sure we put that behind us when we get in the water."
Lassen started swimming when she was 8 years old. She worked on honing her craft by working year-round to perfect her stroke.
"The most enjoyable part of swimming is it really is a rewarding sport," she said. "You put all the hard work into it to get your times to drop at the end of the season. You get what you put into it."
Lassen's favorite strokes are the backstroke and freestyle.
"I feel like my stroke has got a lot better this year," she said.
Lassen said the one lesson she learned the most from swimming is dedication.
Besides school, and swimming, Lassen said she doesn't have any other hobbies.
"Swimming takes up my entire life," she said.
Once her high school swim career comes to a close, Lassen will continue competing in club swimming with the Green County YMCA. She's considering swimming in college.
"I'm going to miss the girls and this team," Lassen said.
Lassen, a senior at Monroe, is entering the final lap of her prep swimming career. She's one of two senior captains guiding the Monroe-New Glarus swim team into one of the state's toughest Division 2 sectionals in Baraboo. The Baraboo sectional features No. 1 ranked Madison Edgewood and No. 2 ranked McFarland.
"Obviously, we will all look to cut time," Lassen said. "How much time depends on the swimmer. The harder you work during the taper, the more time you can cut."
The sectional champion in each event will advance to state as well as the next 12 fastest times from every sectional combined.
The top finish for the Monroe-New Glarus girls swim team at the Badger South Conference meet was the 400-yard freestyle relay team which finished fourth. Many of the same Badger South and Badger North Conference teams will be in the Baraboo sectional. The Cheesemakers' 400 freestyle relay team is seeded fifth heading into the sectional.
Lassen said because the high school state meet is so hard to qualify for, striving to improve times is the key. She's not giving up on her dream to swim at state.
"I could see us having a chance to go to state," Lassen said of the 400 freestyle relay. "We have all been working really hard. I could foresee us doing really well as a team."
The competition the Cheesemakers will see in the sectional will be like a state meet itself: McFarland sophomore Alex Moderski has the fastest Division 2 time in the state this year in both the 50 freestyle (23.49), 100 freestyle (51 seconds). Moderski has the fourth fastest time in the 100 breaststroke (1:09.2) and the fifth fastest in the 100 backstroke (1:00.99).
Madison Edgewood's Kelly Rodriguez has the fastest Division 2 time in the state in the 200 individual medley (2:09.75) and the second fastest time in three other events including the 100 freestyle (52.78), 200 freestyle (1:53.71) and 500 freestyle (5:08.04). Edgewood's Lauren Bergmann has the fourth fastest time in the backstroke (1;)0.55) and sophomore teammate Kaitlyn Barth has the fourth fastest time in the 100 freestyle (53.26).
"It's definitely stressful on us," Lassen said. "We make sure we put that behind us when we get in the water."
Lassen started swimming when she was 8 years old. She worked on honing her craft by working year-round to perfect her stroke.
"The most enjoyable part of swimming is it really is a rewarding sport," she said. "You put all the hard work into it to get your times to drop at the end of the season. You get what you put into it."
Lassen's favorite strokes are the backstroke and freestyle.
"I feel like my stroke has got a lot better this year," she said.
Lassen said the one lesson she learned the most from swimming is dedication.
Besides school, and swimming, Lassen said she doesn't have any other hobbies.
"Swimming takes up my entire life," she said.
Once her high school swim career comes to a close, Lassen will continue competing in club swimming with the Green County YMCA. She's considering swimming in college.
"I'm going to miss the girls and this team," Lassen said.
