Six Waukon High School girls compete for Decorah High School swimming

WHS juniors Katie Hagensick and Mason Hermeier earn qualification for State Meet season finale

A half dozen Waukon High School girls recently wrapped up the 2015 season for the Decorah High School swimming and diving team. Senior Leah Riese, juniors Allison Hagensick, Katie Hagensick and Mason Hermeier, sophomore Sara Opat and freshman Lauren Griffith each contributed to the Viking swimming and/or diving efforts this season.
Although this is her senior year, Riese competed for the first time on the Decorah swimming team this season. In addition to swimming, she was one of the Vikings’ top divers, competing at the varsity level in that unique event.
Although each of those six made contributions throughout the season, Hermeier and Katie Hagensick extended their swimming season to every competitor’s ultimate destination, the State Swim Meet, which took place November 7 at the Marshalltown YMCA. Katie Hagensick swam in both the 200 and 400 freestyle relays which placed 19th and 21st, respectively, at that season grand finale. Hermeier was a member of Decorah’s 200 medley relay that placed 24th overall at State. This was the second consecutive season Katie Hagensick swam to State Meet qualification.
Katie Hagensick and Hermeier were also involved in a handful of Viking events that placed within the top three at the annual Conference Swim Meet held October 24 at Grinnell, helping the Vikings place third in the eight-team field. Katie Hagensick was the lone Conference Champion for the Vikings, winning her fourth Conference title in the last three seasons. She won the 200 freestyle, and she also finished runner-up in the 500 freestyle. The Waukon pair also helped Decorah to third-place finishes in the 200 and 400 freestyle relays, respectively.
Decorah co-head coaches Molly Holkesvik and Stephanie Huber had the following to say about each of the Waukon High School competitors on this season’s squad:
“Katie Hagensick was on the 200 free relay and the 400 free relay that made it to State. Her 400 free relay dropped 10 seconds at the regional meet, which definitely helped them qualify. She also helped push other swimmers on the team to be their best throughout the season. Katie swam multiple events this year, from the 500 free to the 200 IM and 100 fly. Honestly, her skills made placing her difficult at times: she’s just so talented!
“Mason Hermeier was on the 200 medley relay that made it to State. She swam the backstroke portion. I was so happy to see Mason swim at the State Meet! She worked hard to earn that honor. I see improvement in her future, too, now that she sees what she can do.
“Leah Riese dove varsity all year. While this was her first year participating in the swimming and diving, she was instrumental in gathering team points at all of the meets; and toward the end of the season, she learned many new dives which put her in the hunt to make it to State. While she wasn’t able to make it to the State Meet, she dove with poise and team pride, all while making it into All-State Choir and having the lead in the school musical. She is a talented, charismatic person who gives her best all of the time.
“Allie Hagensick swam the 200 IM at the regional meet and proved a team player throughout the year, as she swam anything from a 50 freestyle to the 100 butterfly. Her versatile skills helped keep our team strong. Allie also, along with Leah Riese, sang the National Anthem at our home meets and tried out for All-State choir. Thus, her talents reach far beyond the pool, as well.
“Lauren Griffith was a young member of the Decorah team; therefore, she spent her year trying out various strokes and events. By the end of the season, her breaststroke was coming on strong! She always worked hard and had a positive attitude. As she gets stronger over the next few years, you are going to see Lauren reach goals she never thought possible.
“Sara Opat swam mostly freestyle over the year. Her stroke improved a million percent. She also saw a massive drop in time in every event she swam. And this improvement is just the tip of the iceberg.”