When times get tough in the Willmar pool, six girls can turn to their big sister for encouragement.
The Cardinals, who host the Section 3A swimming and diving championships this Thursday and Saturday, have six sibling pairs on the roster.
"I'm going to miss swimming with her," said senior Sarah Frank of her little sister Jenny, a sophomore. "It will be lonely without her."
Big sisters are huge, especially when they get their license. And their kind words across the dinner table is appreciated when the newcomer might be feeling overwhelmed in the varsity pool.
"We're the support sisters," chimed in senior Ashley Zondervan, whose sister Emily is just an eighth grader but already swimming on one of Willmar's "A" relays.
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Senior Sarah Erickson said her favorite part of swimming is being in the pool with her sister Mary, a sophomore.
"When I was in ninth grade, Mary wasn't in a sport so I got her started in swimming as a seventh grader," recalled Sarah.
Sarah Frank talked Jenny into swimming after the younger sister had played soccer in seventh grade.
"I wanted us to be like the Wegner sisters (Lynn and Lindsay) of Hutchinson," said Sarah.
enior Alicia and ninth-grader Ashley Alvarado, ninth-grader Valor and seventh-grader Liz Gorans and sophomore Alissa and eighth-grader Sara Tinklenberg.
Alissa Tinklenberg has already had 10-podium finishes at the state meet. She has finished third three straight years in the 200-freestyle and is the top seed in that event for section. She's seeded No. 3 in the 100-free but has already posted a time under the state cut.
Sarah Hund in the 50 free is No. 3 in the 500 free and both Willmar freestyle relays have a chance to advance. The top two swimmers and relays advance, plus anyone hitting the state cut in Saturday's finals.
The top four divers will qualify from the pool of 25; Willmar's Beth Pollock, Alicia Alvarado and Brooke Feichtinger are each in the running.
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Engle honored
Elaine Engle, a retired Willmar physical education teacher and golf coach, was recognized recently for her 42-year career as a high school official.
On Oct. 13 at the Sheraton Minneapolis West, she was one of four officials presented with the "Distinguished Service Award for Officials" by the Minnesota State High School Coaches Association.
Engle began judging and officiating gymnastics in 1965. She continues to work as a starter and judge at boys and girls swimming and diving meets.
Warrior winter
The Ridgewater wrest-ling team will be the first to open the winter schedule when Tom Beyer takes his squad to Moorhead for the MSU-Moorhead Open on Thursday evening.
Beyer is in his first year of college coaching after a 26-year career leading the high school program here.
The men's basketball team under Bob Knutson has another week to get ready for two games in Virginia Nov. 16-17.
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The 15-player roster includes Tim Dreier of New London-Spicer, Ben Moser and Cory Nietfeld of Paynesville, Cory Hanson and Tom Boike of Willmar, Chad Mulder of Renville County West, Joey Sullivan of BOLD and Derek Eisenschenk of Rocori.
Carrie Ogdahl's Lady Warriors also open this season at Mesabi College next week.
Her 11-player roster includes second-year players Bridget Boehlke of Waverly, Karen Christopher of Breckenridge and Hilary Groothuis of Maynard (still playing volleyball).
Area newcomers are Lisa Nielsen of Willmar, Patina Queenan of Kerkhoven, Danielle Goeman of Raymond, Brooke Busack of Echo and Tara Thielke of Holloway.
On the fly
Sarah Willis, a senior at Gustavus Adolphus, was named to the second-annual All-MIAC Sportsmanship team for Women's Cross Country. Individuals are selected by their coaches and teammates for demonstrating ideals of positive sportsmanship on and off the field.
Look for Willmar junior Hassan Mead to be rated No. 1 when the 2008 cross-country rankings come out next August. The three runners that finished in front of him on Saturday in the Class AA boys race are seniors.
