Raider swimmers shine in busy week

• Head coach Anthony Schmidt, left, poses with senior Charlie Skinner

Raider boys’ head coach Anthony Schmidt, left, poses with senior Charlie Skinner after Skinner set a new Hudson school record in the 500 yard freestyle in the Raiders’ dual meet against Rice Lake last Thursday. Photo submitted

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Not only was last week one of the busiest of the season for the Raider boys’ swimming and diving team, it was also one of the most successful.

The Raiders won three straight dual meets at Simley last Tuesday, Jan. 10, Rice Lake Thursday at home, and Superior Friday, before taking first at the Head of Lakes Invitational in Superior Saturday afternoon, Jan. 14.

Among the other highlights of the week was a new school record set by Charlie Skinner in the 500 yard freestyle Thursday against Rice Lake. Skinner touched the wall in the longest event in high school swimming in 4 minutes, 58.55 seconds, breaking the old mark of 5:00.41 set by Kyle Enloe.

Skinner also won the 50 freestyle against Rice Lake with a time of 23.06 seconds. Lucas Rukavina took first in the 200 freestyle in 1:56.19, and the 100 backstroke in 1:03.59, while Ty Davis won the 100 butterfly in 1:00.66 and August Jorgensen took first in the 100 free in 52.92 seconds.

In the diving competition, Hunter Frey edged out teammate Caleb Ondrusik to win by one-half point, 139.1 to 139.05.

Last Tuesday the Raiders defeated Simley for the second straight season. Charlie Skinner won the 200 freestyle with a state-qualifying time of 1:50.01 and Willie Skinner took first in the 50 freestyle with a time of 23.7 seconds. Rukavina won the 500 free in 5:16.33 while the 200 freestyle relay team of Mile Townsend, Willie Skinner, Jorgensen and Rukavina, and the 400 freestyle relay team of Jorgensen, Rukavina, Willie Skinner and Charlie Skinner also took first.

Friday night the Raiders posted 11 first place finishes in a dual win at Superior. Charlie Skinner won the 200 freestyle and 100 backstroke and teamed up with Jorgensen, Willie Skinner and Rukavina to win the 200 freestyle relay, and Sawyer Arndt, Rukavina and Willie Skinner to win the 400 freestyle relay.

Saturday at the Head of Lakes Invite, Charlie Skinner won the 200 individual medley and the 100 butterfly and Willie Skinner took first in the 50 and 100 freestyles while Rukavina won the 500 free.

Hudson finished with a sore of 405 while Superior was second with 332 and Rice Lake third with 231.

The Raiders will compete at the Old Abe Invitational this Saturday, Jan. 21, in Eau Claire.

Tags: sports, swimming, raiders, prep