SPASH boys place second at Wildcat Invite

By Patrick Lynn

OSHKOSH — The SPASH boys swim team turned in a strong performance Saturday, finishing second at the Wildcat Invite at Oshkosh West High School in its first invitational meet of the season.

The two-day event brought together 10 teams from across the region, with diving on Friday and swimming on Saturday. Bay Port won the meet with 572 points. SPASH took second with 320, and Brillion/Valders/Chilton finished close behind with 305.5.

Junior Tony Raczek led the Panthers individually, earning second place in the 100-yard freestyle. Senior Henry Bowling took third in the 200 freestyle, and senior Jacob Faust also grabbed a third-place finish in the 200 individual medley.

SPASH saw more success in the relays, where two teams reached the podium. The 200 freestyle relay of Raczek, freshman Eli Gottlieb, senior Ryan Peterson and Bowling finished second, and the 400 freestyle relay team of Raczek, junior Noah Quisler, Bowling and Faust also placed second.

The meet marked SPASH’s first-ever trip to the Wildcat Invite.

The Panthers return home Tuesday, Dec. 9, for a triangular against Wausau East and Rhinelander at the SPASH pool. The meet begins at 5:30 p.m.

Final team scores were Bay Port 572, SPASH 320, BVC 305.5, Neenah 260.5, Oshkosh West 213, Valley Boyz 179, Pulaski 157, Sheboygan South 143, Oshkosh North/Lourdes 67 and Two Rivers/Roncalli 6.