November 29th, 2022 - By Brita Berglund - Mallet Editor
The Proctor/Hermantown Girls Swim Team had an amazing season this year. The team morale was heightened to new levels when they placed 2nd at the Soderlind Invite, bringing home a trophy. The ‘RailHawks’ were undefeated in the home pool and ended the season with two girls qualifying for State Prelims. Hermantown Junior Ava Niksich qualified for the 500 and Hermantown Sophomore Norah Gunderson qualified for the 200 IM and 100 Breaststroke.
In the Lake Superior Conference meet the team placed 3rd and at the Section 7A meet the team placed 5th out of 11 teams. Despite having a smaller pool, the team has continuously worked hard and many of the swimmers improved their times. The MSHSL State Championship was held at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic center at the University of Minnesota on November 10th.
Gunderson was the first to swim and had a fiery start to her 200 IM. It was an exciting race and she kept up with her competition. Niksich was up next to swim the 500. Again, a lively race that was hard to look away from. Even though the 500 is a lengthy race, Ava’s pace and stroke was as graceful and strong as ever. Nearing the end of the meet, it was Norah’s turn to swim her second and final event. She kept an aggressive pace throughout the race and was so close to beating the swimmer next to her the whole time. She missed swimming consolation by one place, but regardless performed with a fierce spirit.
Proctor Senior Hannah Miller, who is also a breaststroker said, “Seeing Norah swim and almost make consolation was incredibly exciting, I can’t wait to see what she does in the rest of her swim career. The same goes for Ava who has been an incredible distance swimmer ever since she joined the team.” The team’s future is looking bright and many are excited to see what is to come next season.