MONROE - For the third time in her prep career, Monroe-New Glarus senior Maddie Hammer will swim in the WIAA Division 2 state swim meet Friday at the University of Wisconsin's Natatorium.
Hammer is a three-time state qualifier in the 100-yard freestyle. She medaled after tying for sixth at state last year in the event. She's seeded sixth this year with a time of 53.66 seconds, which is one second away from the school record. Hammer will swim in four of the six events the Cheesemakers qualified for state in, which include the 50 freestyle and the 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays. She's seeded fifth in the 50 freestyle (24.71).
"I definitely want to get on the podium for both," Hammer said of trying to medal in the 50 and 100 freestyles. "I definitely know I can get up there. Last year, I went in seeded eighth in the 100 and I got sixth. I know I can go faster when I get there."
McFarland junior Alexandra Moderski is looking to repeat as the state champion in both the 50 and 100 freestyles.
Madison Edgewood is looking to win its third straight state championship. McFarland has finished as the state runner-up the past two years. New Berlin Eisenhower also is expected to contend for a top two-finish.
Hammer, who has received a Division I offer to swim at the University of Illinois-Chicago, is looking forward to wrapping up her career at state. She also is planning a visit to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire about the prospects of swimming.
"I'm just focused on wrapping up the high school season," she said. "I love swimming freestyle races. I'm really good with my flip turns off the wall. The 100 freestyle has more walls."
The Monroe-New Glarus swim team's six events at state is the most in more than 10 years. Freshman Mekenzie Hammer will swim the 100 backstroke and 200 individual medley. She is the top seed in the backstroke (57.80) and is seeded sixth in the 200 IM (2:13.62).
The Cheesemakers' 400 freestyle relay team of Maddie and Mekenzie Hammer, junior Nina Schiro and freshman Francesca Schiro is seeded ninth at state after setting a school record in the event (3:43.23) at the Stoughton sectional last week.
"Swimming a sister relay pushes us more because we want to beat our sisters," Nina Schiro said. "I'm just excited to do our best. We were not expecting to break the record. Once we found out we did by two seconds we were shocked and surprised. I think we can try to beat our record and maybe shoot for a 3:40. Each swimmer just has to go one second faster on their 100."
Francesca Schiro has been swimming with the Hammer sisters since she was 6. She's looking to make a push for the podium at state.
"I'm really happy we made it to state," Francesca Schiro said. "I really love swimming with my sister. We have a chance of dropping time and making the podium."
The Cheesemakers' 200 medley relay team of the Hammers, senior Grace Keith and junior Cammi Ganshert also are coming off of setting a school record at the sectional (1:53.61) and enter the state meet seeded 11th.
Ganshert was an alternate for the 400 relay at state last year. Now she is getting her first chance to swim at the UW-Natatorium on the big stage with the highest stakes.
"It's really exciting to finally make it," Ganshert said. "I have been working hard this year. I'm really happy to be here with this great group of girls. It's my goal to PR again."
Hammer is a three-time state qualifier in the 100-yard freestyle. She medaled after tying for sixth at state last year in the event. She's seeded sixth this year with a time of 53.66 seconds, which is one second away from the school record. Hammer will swim in four of the six events the Cheesemakers qualified for state in, which include the 50 freestyle and the 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays. She's seeded fifth in the 50 freestyle (24.71).
"I definitely want to get on the podium for both," Hammer said of trying to medal in the 50 and 100 freestyles. "I definitely know I can get up there. Last year, I went in seeded eighth in the 100 and I got sixth. I know I can go faster when I get there."
McFarland junior Alexandra Moderski is looking to repeat as the state champion in both the 50 and 100 freestyles.
Madison Edgewood is looking to win its third straight state championship. McFarland has finished as the state runner-up the past two years. New Berlin Eisenhower also is expected to contend for a top two-finish.
Hammer, who has received a Division I offer to swim at the University of Illinois-Chicago, is looking forward to wrapping up her career at state. She also is planning a visit to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire about the prospects of swimming.
"I'm just focused on wrapping up the high school season," she said. "I love swimming freestyle races. I'm really good with my flip turns off the wall. The 100 freestyle has more walls."
The Monroe-New Glarus swim team's six events at state is the most in more than 10 years. Freshman Mekenzie Hammer will swim the 100 backstroke and 200 individual medley. She is the top seed in the backstroke (57.80) and is seeded sixth in the 200 IM (2:13.62).
The Cheesemakers' 400 freestyle relay team of Maddie and Mekenzie Hammer, junior Nina Schiro and freshman Francesca Schiro is seeded ninth at state after setting a school record in the event (3:43.23) at the Stoughton sectional last week.
"Swimming a sister relay pushes us more because we want to beat our sisters," Nina Schiro said. "I'm just excited to do our best. We were not expecting to break the record. Once we found out we did by two seconds we were shocked and surprised. I think we can try to beat our record and maybe shoot for a 3:40. Each swimmer just has to go one second faster on their 100."
Francesca Schiro has been swimming with the Hammer sisters since she was 6. She's looking to make a push for the podium at state.
"I'm really happy we made it to state," Francesca Schiro said. "I really love swimming with my sister. We have a chance of dropping time and making the podium."
The Cheesemakers' 200 medley relay team of the Hammers, senior Grace Keith and junior Cammi Ganshert also are coming off of setting a school record at the sectional (1:53.61) and enter the state meet seeded 11th.
Ganshert was an alternate for the 400 relay at state last year. Now she is getting her first chance to swim at the UW-Natatorium on the big stage with the highest stakes.
"It's really exciting to finally make it," Ganshert said. "I have been working hard this year. I'm really happy to be here with this great group of girls. It's my goal to PR again."
