Vikings freshman is Tew-riffic

New Berlin - Usually making a first trip to state is an intimidating circumstance. Don't tell that to New Berlin West freshman Madison Tew.

Tew took Madison by storm, as the first-year swimmer won not one, but two gold medals at the WIAA Girls State Swimming & Diving Divison 2 Meet at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Natatorium on Friday.

Tew had a goal to strike gold, which she achieved as she was crowned state champion in both the 200- and 500-yard freestyle, the only double winner of the meet.

She took the lead in the 200-free and never looked back. Her time of 1 minute, 52.42 seconds was a personal best and a school record, erasing Becky Thompson's mark (1:53.26) set in 2007. It was the eighth-best time in the all-time D2 list.

In the 500-free Tew made her move at the 300-yard turn to overtake Shorewood's Ellen Stello. Her time (5:02.95) was another best and replaces the school's oldest record of (5:03.86) set back in 1981 by Sue Kuglitsch.

Obviously her first-time on the big stage wasn't intimidating.

"I've been in bigger competition," said Tew, who swims for the New Berlin Swim Club. "It really wasn't (intimidating)."

West coach Pete Zenobi knew Tew would hold up well at state.

"I'm sure she was a little nervous," he said, "but she is best when something is on the line. She has been this way since she (was a) 10-year-old."

Tew was seeded third in both events and she turned up the jets after winning both events at the Cudahy Sectional with times of 1:54.82 and 5:12.94.

"I felt that I did try harder at state," Tew said. "There was the full competition there. I was more psyched up."

When all was said and done afterwards, the freshman was pleased with her performance.

"I felt amazing after the fact," she said.

A third school record fell for West as Lindsey Rodenkirk finished 10th and lowered her own mark in the 100 backstroke (1:00.48) set in the sectional.

Rodenkirk and Tew teamed up with Emily Szydlowski and Amber Kazinski for a 10th-place finish in the 200-free relay (1:41.26), six spots ahead of their seeded position.

They also teamed up and with Szydlowski and Chloe Banholzer in the 400-free relay finishing 12th (3:44.45).

"I am proud of the whole New Berlin West team," Zenobi said.

Looking back at her freshman swim season, Tew was pleased.

"My first year (in high school) was really, fun," she said. "We do more things together as a team (than swim club)."

Zenobi was thrilled with her first season of high school swimming.

"She had a phenomenal freshman year," he said. "There is still pressure on her even though she is a freshman. She swims in a very good conference, with numerous champions here. Two win two events her first year is very impressive."

Zenobi doesn't expect a letdown from his star swimmer.

"Madison is goal-oriented person; she has high goals for herself," he said. "She works hard. Her mom (Nicole) and dad (Doug) raised her very well. She is a nice young girl and she is really shy."