Posted: 3/9/05
Hudalla takes 3rd, Knaak 8th at State meet
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Joe Drennan
Staff Writer
Experience helped junior Dillon Hudalla, junior Sam Gort and freshman Andy Knaak at this weekendís State boys swimming and diving meet at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center.
Hudalla was the only Rangers diver at the meet as compared to three last year. Hudalla placed 13th last year with a score of 319.90 to be the top Rangers diver at the State meet.
This year Hudalla was in second place with a score of 258.95 after the semifinals. Hudalla dropped into third place in the finals and finished with a score of 349.26.
ìI think nerves got the best of me in the last two dives,î Hudalla said. ìThe experience from last year helped, but I had a little more pressure on me this year.î
Hudalla said that of all the 11 dive meets he dove in this season, the State meet was probably his worst performance.
ìIf I would have taken my best 11 dive meets, I would have won,î Hudalla said. ìThe pressure just took over though. Next year Iíll take first.î
Knaak and Gort also competed at last yearís State meet. The two both swam in the 200-yard freestyle with Knaak finishing with a time of 1:52.59 and Gort a time of 1:53.56.
Gort competed in the 200-yard freestyle again this year and lowered his time to 1:50.81 for a 20th place finish. Gort also competed in the 500-yard freestyle. Gort placed 29th with a time of 5:07.26 which was slightly off his state time of 5:04.88 last year.
ìI was just trying to make the finals, but I didnít,î Gort said. ìItís just a rush being there though and it was a lot of fun.î
Knaak swam in both the 200-yard individual medley and 100-yard breaststroke.
In the 100-yard breaststroke Knaak placed 12th with a time of 1:00.90. Knaak placed 8th in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 1:59.32.
ìI wanted to make it to the top eight in one of my events and I did,î Knaak said. ìIt was great standing up there with some of the best swimmers in the country. It was quite an honor.î
While Hudalla has openly said he plans to take first in the diving competition next year, Knaak was a bit more reserved in making such a bold prediction. Knaak simply said heíd like to make it back to the State meet and lower his times, possibly getting into the top three or four.
With all three competitors returning to the team next year, they believe their experience at the State meet will only help their teammates succeed and strive to join them at next yearís State meet.
ìTheyíll know what to set their goals at,î Knaak said of his teammates. ìThey know how worth it it is and know they know what it takes to get there.î
Part of the excitement of making it to the State swimming and diving meet is competing in front of a large crowd at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center.
ìSo many people are there and they all love the sport and what youíre doing,î Knaak said. ìItís great.î
Hudalla added, ìIt was exciting and fun talking to the other teams.î
All three competitors plan to return to the State meet, but they would like to bring some more teammates along with them. Gort said that he hopes the Rangers relay teams can make it to the State meet since the majority of the top swimmers will be returning.
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