Hatchet swimmers kick off season against Division 1 opponents

MARSHFIELD – The Tomahawk High School (THS) boys’ swim team kicked off its season in Marshfield last week.

Coach Theresa L’Esperance noted that the Hatchets faced all Division 1 opponents to start the season.

On Tuesday, Dec. 2, Tomahawk took on powerhouses Stevens Point and Marshfield.

“It had been years since THS teams entered the Marshfield pool,” L’Esperance said. “We swam with five swimmers against 26 and 18 swimmers. We all had to take a breather and rethink our goals. Back in the pool, we worked.”

The Hatchets took in part in a meet in Wisconsin Rapids on Saturday, Dec. 6.

“We had the numbers to give us some team points,” L’Esperance stated. “For the first time in 10 years, the Hatchets had two medley relays. Those are valuable team points. We also had two 400 free relays; again, valuable team points. These points were against Madison East, Baraboo and Wisconsin Rapids.”

Tomahawk ultimately took second place, with seven personal improvements.

Bruce Peetz led the day with three personal bests.

“Peetz is already hanging around State cutoff times in the 200 IM, 100 breaststroke and the 50 freestyle,” L’Esperance said. “Bruce is a senior with a gigantic desire to qualify individually at the WIAA State meet. Peetz came into the season with a huge desire to compete, which every head coach hopes and desires his/her seniors will do.”

Connor Germano, Aidan Sigl and Micheal Lucas swam two personal bests each.

L’Esperance said Germano is working to make his own mark in swimming.

“His 50 freestyle relays were pretty clean and gave him two personal bests at 27.91 and then 27.89,” L’Esperance stated. “He is very focused on improving his technique.”

Lucas is still a very new swimmer, L’Esperance noted.

“His desire to perfect his strokes is evident,” L’Esperance stated. “He is only a sophomore with little experience, but we have high goals for him.”

L’Esperance said Sigl is “becoming a versatile swimmer, someone every coach desires.”

“With only two short practices in the breaststroke, Sigl stepped in,” L’Esperance stated. “His freestyle is also improving.”

Toby Scott began his season with a personal best in leading the medley relay to a second-place finish.

“T. Scott also expanded his swimming repertoire by swimming the 200 IM and the 200 freestyle,” L’Esperance said. “Fellow junior Dane DeKiep nearly broke two personal bests, but winning the 100 backstroke eased the pain.”

L’Esperance noted that although Eli Scott is a very new swimmer, he dove right in and joined the team in swimming.

“Brock Fischer and Max Amelse rounded out our relays,” L’Esperance said. “Without Fischer and Amelse, we would not be able to support two sets of relays.”

This week’s action

The Hatchet swimmers are slated to travel to Shawano on Thursday, Dec. 11.