The Free Press, Mankato, MN

High School Sports

November 22, 2009

Nack comes back strong at state meet

West swimmer sets personal bests in 200 and 500 freestyle events

By Jim Rueda

MINNEAPOLIS — The pressure was off for Mankato West eighth-grader Danielle Nack and it certainly showed in her performance.

After a lackluster first day of the Class A state girls swim meet, Nack came back strong on Day 2, recording two career bests to move up considerably in both the 200-yard freestyle and 500-freestyle events.

Nack was 12th in the 200 after the preliminary round but moved up to ninth in the consolation finals by shaving more than two seconds off her time and finishing in 1:57.40. Her time would have placed her fifth overall if she had been swimming in the top-eight finals.

The junior high swimmer was 14th after the prelims in the 500 and proceeded to knock off seven seconds to finish ninth in 5:16.80. The time would have placed her sixth in the championship finals.

“I felt a lot better today,” Nack said after the 500. “There was a lot less pressure. I just told myself to go out and have fun today and whatever happens, happens.”

Nack said the strong finish gives her encouragement to continue working hard and to try to get back to state next season.

“I definitely want to get back,” she said. “Next year I want to do better on the first day so I can make the top eight in a few events.”

Mariah Chesley was the only other individual competitor for the Scarlets in Saturday’s competition. She ended up 16th in the 100-backstroke in 1:04.31.

West also competed in three relays. The 200-medley relay team of Chesley, Taylor Bacon, Nack and Emily Sneer finished 11th in 1:54.55.

The Scarlets 200-free relay team of Sneer, Nicole Lohman, Danielle DeCock and Bacon placed 13th in 1:42.34. In the 400-free relay, the West quartet of Sneer, Bacon, DeCock and Nack finished 12th in 3:43.71.

Shortly after the final event, seniors Bacon and Sneer talked about the end of their careers.

“It’s going to be different,” Bacon said. “I’m going to miss it. It’s two hours a day I’m going to have to fill. I guess I’m going to have to find a hobby.”

Sneer agreed: “I’m not sure what I’m going to do. It’s kind of bittersweet because I’m going to miss all my teammates and being part of the team but, at the same time, there’s a feeling that it’s time to move on.

“It’s time to face the next challenge.”

Sartell ended up winning the team title with 236 points. St. Peter finished 13th with 64 points and West placed 17th with 49.

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