Pochowski's titles highlight strong state effort

Muskego - When Sami Pochowski was just a freshman at Muskego High School, one of her swimming coaches, Mark Larsen, told her that the Warriors were in the process of building a dynasty.

His prediction came true, as Muskego posted its third straight top-five team finish in the WIAA Division 1 State Meet last week, scoring 162 points for fifth place.

"We did build a dynasty," Pochowski said. "Now (some of us) are leaving, and it's going to get even better."

Pochowski herself has been a cornerstone of the Warriors' surge, and she capped her high school career on Saturday in Madison with a pair of state championships.

She defended her title in the 100-yard breaststroke in 1 minute, 1.72 seconds, breaking her own 2010 state record of 1:02.07. She also won the 200 freestyle crown with a 1:48.41 effort.

Both championships carried special meaning to her, for different reasons.

"In the breaststroke, I was on a mission," she said. "I'm a senior, this is my last year, and I wanted to leave it all in the pool. I swam a perfect race. I set the record last year, and I want to improve each year, so I did want to set (a new) record.

"In the 200 freestyle, I was second last year, so it was definitely a goal of mine to win it."

Muskego coach Ed Hallett said, "Her attitude was the same as last year - she is very focused on her goals and wants to achieve them. She really wanted to win the breaststroke again and improve on her record. In the 200 freestyle, she was barely beaten last year, so she was on a mission to win it."

Senior teammate Emma Szczupakiewicz added, "I'm happy for her. She worked hard and she deserved it."

Szczupakiewicz, who last year won Muskego's first-ever state crown with a victory in the backstroke, was the runnerup in the event this time with 55.99 seconds. That time actually beat her 56.09 from a year ago, but she lost to Mackenzie Buss, of Shawano/Bonduel, who posted a state-record 55.25.

Szczupakiewicz also finished third in the 100 butterfly at 56.88.

"I was very pleased with the meet," she said. "I couldn't have done anything any differently. I had two great races and both were personal-best times."

Both Pochowski and Szczupakiewicz also helped two Muskego relay teams capture seconds. They swam with juniors Megan Liebl and Kristen Kaiser in the 200 medley (1:45.42) and the 400 freestyle (3:29.67).

"That was so exciting," Pochowski said. "We all stepped up for this meet. We had best times in our splits, and we left it all in the pool. I believed in us and I knew we could do it. We just had to go out and do it."

Hallett reflected on what Pochowski and Szczupakiewicz have meant to the Muskego program through the years.

"They have been leaders both in and out of the pool," he said. "They have helped the other people on the team understand swimming better. They will be difficult to replace."

Not that the cupboard is bare, though. Muskego swimmers who will carry on next season all made their marks at the state meet as well.

Liebl snared ninth in the 100 butterfly (57.84) and 11th in the 100 backstroke (58.66), while Kaiser placed 11th in the 500 freestyle (5:11.11) and 24th in the 200 freestyle (2:01.31).

Freshman Kari Balson took 20th in the 100 breaststroke (1:08.82) and swam with fellow freshmen Jessica Pollack and Sara Biro and senior Claire Borland for 19th in the 200 freestyle relay (1:42.4).

It all added up to fifth in the team standings.

"That was impressive," Szczupakiewicz said. "We've been fifth in the past, but this had a lot more meaning. This team really came together on the relays, and everyone was really close this year."

Now the season is over, and everyone is looking to the future.

Pochowski will soon start preparing for the U.S. Olympic Trials in June at Omaha, Neb. She qualified for that by posting a 1:11.6 in the breaststroke at a Junior National meet in August.

"I have nationals in three weeks in Georgia, and some other meets," she said. "Later, I will get my endurance up and work the extra degree until it's time to taper again in June."

She will also swim next year at Florida State University on a scholarship.

"That team reminds me of Muskego, with everyone just like a big family," she said.

Szczupakiewicz will compete at Miami of Ohio starting next fall.

The Warriors, meanwhile, will get ready to compete in the Classic 8 Conference next year.

"That should be good competition as well," Hallett said. "The Classic 8 is strong and should present some challenges."

Muskego will be without Pochowski, Szczupakiewicz and Claire and Hope Borland, but Hallett thinks the success will continue.

"They will be missed, but we have a lot of depth," he said. "We have some freshmen this year who will be our future leaders."

STATE STANDINGS

Wauk. South/Muk. 293

Hartland Arrowhead 291

Madison Memorial 175

Middleton Cardinals 163

Muskego Warriors 162

Cedarburg Bulldogs 112

Verona Area 105½

Men. Falls/Hamilton 94

Madison West 87

Eau Claire Memorial 86