Tridents downed by Hodags, take hatchet to Tomahawk

The Lake Holcombe-Ladysmith-Flambeau Bruce swim team is seeing the end near for conference meets the last couple weeks, after hosting Rhinelander, then traveling to Tomahawk.

Oct. 1 vs. Rhinelander conference (L 3-0)

The Tridents were at home as Rhinelander came calling, but it wouldn’t help the home team pull out a victory.

“Rhinelander is very talented, deep team this year,” said coach Matt Bunton. “It was a good meet and gave many of our girls a chance to really race. I was very pleased how we stuck with them, had many good races and stayed focused on our goals, both individually and as a team.”

Season best times included sophomore Madeline Bunton’s 200-yard freestyle in 2:07.62, junior Brooke Lechleitner’s 50-yard freestyle (25.90) and senior Olivia Bunton’s 100yard butterfly (1:10.06). Sophomore Sanaa Trott also had a best time in the 100-yard backstroke (1:13.99), as did Mya Baselt in her 100-yard breaststroke (1:17.44).

“We’ve had a few of our swimmers really step up the past few weeks, and help fill out our relays,” said Matt Bunton.

Matt Bunton says Michelle Gaddy, Sadie Heath, Madi Kempen and Federica Santori, have all swum very well.

“Combined with the rest of the team, we are able to put together three really competitive “A” relays,” said Matt Bunton, “and our “B” relays are looking better as well.”

Oct. 8 vs. New Auburn conference (W 3-0)

The next week, the Tridents hit the road, going up against Tomahwak, bringing home first in all three relays and posting many good swims throughout the meet.

Santori dropped 6 seconds in her 200-yard individual medley, with a time of 2:34.32. Senior Kitara Fye and Kempen each had good swims in their 100-yard butterfly, with 10-second and 6-second drops, respectively. Lechleitner had a good 100-freestyle swim, with a time of 55.61 seconds.

“That is the second fastest time posted in our conference this season, to date,” said Matt Bunton. “Brooke has been working hard to increase her turnover, without losing grip with the water and strengthening her kick, and it seems to be really paying off.”

Madeline Bunton also posted a high school season best time of 1.05.14 in her 100 backstroke. Teammate Heath dropped 10 seconds in that event, as well, posting her personal best time.

Gaddy also had a season best 100 breaststroke performance, keeping up with O. Bunton for most of the race.

With the split meets, the Tridents moved to 5-2 on their season.