Monday, October 14, 2024

I-S swimmers receive awards, scholarships

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The Iola-Scandinavia Thunderbird swim team wrapped up another successful winter season Feb. 5 with an awards banquet.


Meanwhile, three swimmers also received a $1,000 college scholarship from coach Dick Wright and his wife Lucy.


All swimmers received certificates, record books and photos.


Award-winning swimmers included:


• Most Outstanding Award: Matthew Glodowski and Tayler Carlson (11 and under); Ryan Parks and Morgan Glodowski (12 and over).


• Most Improved Award: Ryan Breed and Cassidy Kostuch (11 and under); Ethan Olson and Haley Glass (12 and over).


• Hardest Worker Award: Aiden Charapata and Sara Breed (11 and under); John Faldet and Katherine Leaf (12 and over).


• Newcomer of the Year Award: Austin Buss and Sandra Jorgenson (11 and under); Luis Jorgenson and Morgan Spees (12 and over).


Three swimmers - Krista Mortenson, Rachel Klepps and Power Spees - also received a $1,000 Richard & Lucy Wright Thunderbird Swim Team Scholarship.


The Wrights award the scholarships to high school seniors that have made significant contributions to the team, their school and their community.


Mortenson has been on the swim team for 10 years, maintains a 3.67 GPA at Iola-Scandinavia High School, is a merit scholar, lettered in volleyball and basketball, is a lifeguard and volunteers for several school and community functions. She is headed to the University of Minnesota.


Klepps has been on the swim team for four years and has been involved in many volunteer activities such as Big Brothers, Big Sisters; and the Salvation Army. She plans on attending Northern Michigan University in Marquette.


Spees has been on the swim team for four years and is ranked in the top five of his class at I-S High School. He is a lifeguard at the I-S Community Fitness & Aquatic Center, a member of the all-state band and Spanish Club and is president of the I-S High School Student Council. He will attend the University of Wisconsin.


"These three individuals have been great representatives of our team for their entire swim careers," coach Wright said. "It is a pleasure for Lucy and me to be able to award their commitment and effort. They are wonderful kids."


The Thunderbirds swim team is open to boys and girls ages 5-18. Contact Wright at 715-258-2697 or the fitness center at 715-445-2411, ext. 317, for more information.