Winona Area Public SchoolsJack Herczeg’s name is all over the record board in the pool at Winona Senior High School.
It’s about to be put up there one more time.
Herczeg, a senior, smashed a 39-year-old pool record in the 50 freestyle, leading the Winhawks to a 98-73 victory over Rochester John Marshall in a Big 9 Conference dual Thursday.
Coach Chris Mayer said Herczeg has had an eye on that record since he was in eighth grade.
“He knew it was going to be a tough race, but that hasn’t stopped him before,” Mayer said.
“That was probably one of the oldest pool records left in the Big 9.”
Herczeg touched the wall in 21.61 seconds. The previous record of 21.80 was set by a Mayo swimmer in 1980.
The record was just the tip of the iceberg for the Winhawks, who also swam state qualifying times in the relays and nearly set a few other pool records in beating the Rockets.
The 200 medley relay of Jon Boras, Grant Wolner, Herczeg and Colin White won in 1:44.33, which would have qualified them for state if this was the section meet.
Alex Jorgenson won the 200 freestyle in 1:53.41, while Tanner Lozenski was second 1:56.89.
Julius Hanson finished second in the 200 individual medley in 2:13.76.
In the 100 butterfly, Wolner just missed breaking his own pool record, winning in 52.87 (the record is 52.55). Brayden Coudron was second in 1:03.40.
Herczeg and Jordgenson went 1-2 in the 100 freestyle, with Herczeg coming up just shy of his own pool record.
Lozenski won the 500 freestyle in 5:24.35, setting the pace for younger swimmers in Hanson and Colin White, who were 2-3 in 5:30.28 and 5:34.24. “That was a fun race to watch as it reminded me of the role that Tanner was in just a few years ago chasing after Griffin Wolner,” Mayer said. “That torch has now been passed.”
The 200 free relay of Wolner, Herczeg, Jorgenson and Lozenski won in 1:30.78, nearly beating the pool record set last year of 1:29.40.
When Winona went 2-3-4 in the 100 backstroke, that gave the Winhawks enough points to win the meet, sending the remaining events into exhibition mode. Ethan Evanson was the top Winona finisher, placing second in 1:04.20.
Wolner won the 100 breaststroke in 1:00.57, while the 400 freestyle relay of Lozenski, White, Hanson and Jorgenson won in 3:30.18.
The Winhawks will hold their Super Saturday this weekend, a tradition that sees two hard practices sandwiching a ream brunch and some fun at the coach’s house.
Winona will face the Onalaska, Holmen, Aquinas co-op at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the YMCA in Onalaska.
Gymnastics
Winona placed second in a triangular with Mankato East and Mankato West on Thursday night.
The Winhawks scored 131.675 points — a four-point improvement from the season opener. Mankato West won with 140.975, and Mankato East was third in 127.3.
“Improvements were made by every gymnast on one event or another,” coach Brittney Steine said. “New and returning gymnasts are stepping up their game and the veterans are demonstrating their experience as the season gets underway.”
Returning state qualifier and team co-captain Chloe Hughes led the Winhawks with a solid performance in every event. She tied for second on vault (9.3), was fifth on bars (7.975), third on beam (8.9), second on floor (9.3) and fourth in the all-around (35.525).
Winona has another home meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19 against Red Wing. Gymnastics meets are held at Winona Middle School.
Boys basketball
Mankato East 82, Winona 61: A rough first half was too much for the Winhawks to overcome, although they certainly made the Cougars (3-1, 3-0) work for it.
Parker Jones and Garit Wollan each scored 12 points to lead Winona (1-2, 1-2), which hosts Rochester John Marshall on Saturday night.
Girls basketball
Mankato East 69, Winona 39: Jaelyn Simmons and Marisa Borkowski combined for 13 points to lead the Winhawks.
Lexi Karge had 30 points to lead Mankato East.
Boys hockey
Albert Lea 6, Winona 3: Roman Grulkowski had a hat trick but the Tigers won the Big 9 game.
Two of Grulkowski’s goals were unassisted. Jack Thompson and Matt Thesing assisted on a power-play goal in the third period.
Alex Benson made 28 saves.