WAUKESHA — Monroe-New Glarus sent five swimmers to the WIAA Division 2 state championships, held Nov. 12 at the Waukesha South Natatorium. Each swimmer found a way to impress, and one even made the podium.
“We are so proud of how the girls ended this season,” MNG co-coach Rachel Root said. “We had several season best times as well as some personal best times. Even when they felt tired at practice, they continued to push themselves and the results of them pushing through paid off.”
Mazie Paradis found herself in the water in four events, the maximum allowed. The freshman turned in quite the performance as well, breaking two program records.
In the 200-yard IM, she broke the school record (2:08.12) previously held by former state champion Mckenzie Hammer, who set the mark of 2:08.37 as a sophomore in the state meet — winning it all that season. Rhinelander’s Malia Francis won the race with a 2:03.91, followed by a trio of Madison Edgewood swimmers. Shorewood’s Elise Jacobs (2:08.02) also finished ahead of Paradis.
In the 100-butterfly (7th, 58.70), Paradis again broke a Monroe-New Glarus record, which was set in 2005 by Alanna Bader. Wauwatosa West’s Lauren Malinowski (54.47) not only won the race, but broke the previous state record by more than second. Of the top 8 finishers in the race, just Paradis and Edgewood freshman Izzy Bloom will return next season.
Paradis was also a part of MNG’s two state-bound relay teams, the 200-medley (13th place, 1:52.49) and the 400-freestyle (10th place, 3:43.37)
In the medley relay, Paradis was joined by seniors Morgan Erstad and Karley Michels, as well as sophomore Riley Hoesly. Hoesly, Erstad, Paradis and Delaney Lynch swam together in the 400-relay.
“Morgan and Karley displayed strong leadership skills throughout the state meet. They supported their teammates well and got everyone excited for the state atmosphere,” said Haley Kaiser, MNG co-coach.
Erstad was the only other Monroe-New Glarus swimmer to race in an individual event. The senior battled should injuries over the past few seasons, but managed to take 14th in the 100-backstroke (1:00.33). She previously swam at state in the same event as a freshman, finishing fifth at 58.48, which would have placed ninth this year. As a sophomore, she was seventh (59.79). MNG did not compete in the sectional during the 2020 alternate fall season this spring.
Since three of the five state swimmers from MNG are underclassmen, the team is excited to have a solid foundation in place headed into the future.
“We are looking forward to watching our underclassmen continue to grow as individuals and improve their swim times throughout their high school years,” Root said. “Our underclassmen displayed leadership skills throughout the season at practices. They were role-models for their teammates.”
Final race notes:
● Karley Michels ended her swimming career with a personal best split in the 50-yard breaststroke.
● Morgan Erstad had season best times for the 100-yard backstroke; 50-yard backstroke split and 100-freestyle relay splits
● Delaney Lynch had a personal best split time in the 400-yard freestyle relay
● Riley Hoesly had a personal best split time in the 200-yard medley relay
