Swimmers’ season ends at sectionals

The Colby/Abbotsford swim co-op closed the final chapter on the 2021 season over the weekend, journeying to the WIAA D-2 sectional at Menomonie High.

The top finisher in each event, along with those athletes who produced qualifying times, would move on to the WIAA state meet at the Waukesha South Natatorium this weekend. Unfortunately for Colby/Abbotsford, no swimmers or divers will be in Waukesha this weekend after the co-op placed 12th with 48 points.

Rhinelander advances as a team after winning the Menomonie sectional 371 team points to Rice Lake’s 323 points. Merrill was third with 264 points.

Senior Riley Bellendorf came the closest to qualifying for state for Colby/Abby. Bellendorf competed in the dive on Friday night, and her 11-dive score of 291.60 netted her second place.

But as other divers’ scores came in from across the state, the benchmark to reach for state was set at 392.10.

The fierce competition did bring out the best in the swimmers, with multiple new personal bests set in the pool at Menomonie High.

“The girls swam well,” head coach Monica Tesmer said. “I had seven swimmers, and had 12 personal best swims! Zanza Haemer had four personal bests; she dropped time in her 200 free and 100 breaststroke, along with dropping time in both of her relay swims.”

Three swimmers raced in the 50-yard freestyle, with freshman Chloe Cihlar finishing 14th in 27.27 seconds. Lilly Graun placed 24th overall with 30.33 seconds, and senior Chase Klemetson earned 36th place in 36.17 seconds.

The co-op also fielded three swimmers in the 100-yard freestyle race. Cihlar was the highest finisher with her time of 1:01.19 earning her 15th overall. Graun placed 21st in 1:09.27, and Olivia Krause was 25th in 1:12.62.

The team of Krause, Hailey Meyer, Zanza Haemer and Cihlar placed 10th overall in the 200-yard freestyle relay with their time of 1:59.97.

“Hailey Meyer had three personal best swims; 100 backstroke and in both her relays,” Tesmer said. “Lilly Graun had two personal best swims in both of her individual events, 50 and 100 free.

“Chloe Cihlar had two personal bests in her leg of the 200 free and 400 free relay. Olivia Johnson dropped 11 seconds in the 200 free event.”

The co-op saw a pair of top 20 performances later in the day, with Meyer earning 19th in the 100-yard backstroke in 1:21.15. Haemer also finished 19th, but in the 100-yard breaststroke in her time of 1:27.74.

The final event of the meet was the 400yard freestyle relay. The team of Krause, Meyer, Haemer and Cihlar finished 11th overall in a time of 4:30.51.

The co-op bids goodbye to seniors Hailey Meyer, Chase Klementson, Lexi White and Riley Bellendorf. Tesmer thanked each of them, and the entire team, for their contributions and leadership this season.

“It has been a hard year with low numbers, but the girls swam well to finish the year.”