The Owatonna Boys Swim team has started their season out with a 0-2 record. The team’s first conference dual meet of the season was on Dec. 7 against the two time Big 9 and Section Championship team of Rochester Mayo. The second conference dual meet was on Dec. 14 at the Owatonna Middle School against Mankato East. The Huskies narrowly missed clinching the victory with a final score of 89-96 as the meet came down to the last race.

When asked how the season has gone so far, Head Coach Peter Rhodes said, “It has gone very well, our first meet out we had 60 lifetime bests, and our next meet out we came back and had 67 more lifetime bests.” The Huskies have found a lot of personal success in the first opening meets of the season. With their being so much improvement already the team is looking forward to becoming even better throughout the season. Rhodes commented on the strength of the team by saying, “I think overall we are stronger than we have been in the last couple of years.” This is mostly attributed to the large number of returners on the team with only losing one senior.  When asked about his goals for the season, Rhodes said, “To get ninth or tenth in the Big 9, and win two dual meets. The Huskies have a large number of underclassmen that will make the team stronger in future seasons.

Senior captain Josh Belting, said this when asked about the season so far, “We are doing great, considering all the personal best times we have been getting so far.” The team has had a successful season, but looks forward to progressing as the season goes on. Belting also touched on how spots were being filled in the lineup by underclassmen, who have also helped to create more depth on the team. In turn, making the team better than in years past and giving the team a fighting chance.

The Huskies also participated in a meet on Saturday, Dec. 16 at Mankato East for the Cougar Relays. This is a meet that is made of only relay races, there are the normal relays like the 200 Medley Relay and the 400 Free Relay. There are also fun ones like the 300 backstroke relay and the Crescendo Relay, which consists of a 50, 100, 200, 500 yard legs. The OHS Swim Team will continue their regular conference dual meet season this Thursday, Dec. 21 vs. John Marshall.