Holy Family - Westonka Takes 2nd in True Team Class A State Championship!

True Team State brings together Minnesota’s top 12 programs, including the champion from each of the eight sections, along with four additional teams that qualify as wild cards based on overall points. Competing against the best in the state, the Westonka-Holy Family girls delivered an incredible performance that showcased the team’s depth, consistency, and perseverance.

This year’s runner-up finish marks a major milestone for the program, improving from sixth place in 2024 and eighth place in 2023. The girls entered the meet with their eyes set on third place, but through determination and sheer grit, they climbed to second, exceeding all expectations. To celebrate this monumental night, the girls joyfully pushed their assistant coach, Josh Johnston, into the pool. It was a perfect ending to a historic performance.

Kicking off the meet, the 200-yard medley relay team of freshman Mia Dongoske, junior Rachel Betts, junior Jaylen Juras, and junior Laney Hendrickson set the tone for the evening with a strong second-place finish behind Orono. Their performance was especially impressive, posting a season-best time that was 2.74 seconds faster than their previous best.

In the 200-yard freestyle, junior Laney Hendrickson secured a second-place finish with an impressive time drop, continuing the team’s early momentum. The 200-yard individual medley featured several standout swims, highlighted by sophomore Mia Dongoske, who placed third, broke her own 2024 Westonka record, and set a new school record. Junior Chella Patterson finished 13th, while senior captains Izzy Starr and Kayla Quandt placed 16th and 17th, respectively, showcasing Westonka’s strength across multiple lanes.

In the 50-yard freestyle, junior Carina Gadtke earned 16th place, followed closely by freshman Bridget Treacy in 17th, contributing valuable points for the team.

In the 100-yard butterfly, junior Jaylen Juras secured 5th place, and senior captain Kayla Quandt added key points with a 16th-place finish. The 100-yard freestyle saw junior Rachel Betts place 8th, while freshman Bridget Treacy took 14th and 7th-grader Alina Navidad finished 17th, highlighting the program’s exciting mix of veterans and young talent.

In the 500-yard freestyle, junior Laney Hendrickson dominated the field, claiming first place with an incredible 12-second time drop. Sophomore Ava Dominguez also turned in a standout race, finishing 7th, and junior Charlotte Lake earned 11th, adding more vital points.

In diving, junior Bailey Monette delivered a record-breaking performance, capturing first place while setting both the True Team State diving record and a new school record. Senior captain Erica Johnson also added key points for the team with a strong 5th-place finish, helping secure the team’s runner-up position.

In the 200-yard freestyle relay, the A relay of 7th-grader Alina Navidad, senior captain Izzy Starr, sophomore Ava Dominguez, and sophomore Carina Gadtke earned a 9th-place finish. The B relay of senior Hayden Nichols, junior Jaylen Juras, senior captain Erica Johnson, and senior captain Kayla Quandt contributed additional points with a 16th-place finish.

In the 100-yard backstroke, sophomore Mia Dongoske continued her strong meet, taking 6th place with another impressive time drop. Senior captain Izzy Starr followed in 14th, and junior Jaylen Juras rounded out the event in 16th.

In the 100-yard breaststroke, junior Rachel Betts delivered an outstanding swim, capturing 2nd place to close out her individual events on a high note.

The night concluded with the 400-yard freestyle relay, where the A relay of junior Rachel Betts, freshman Bridget Treacy, sophomore Carina Gadtke, and junior Laney Hendrickson captured third place with a strong finish. The B relay of sophomore Ava Dominguez, 7th-grader Alina Navidad, junior Charlotte Lake, and sophomore Mia Dongoske also contributed key points with a 14th-place finish.

Head coach Ben Hanson praised the team’s grit and performance, saying,
“WOW! The team really stepped up and swam terrifically. I am proud of the team’s tenacity and look forward to seeing what they can do at sections.”

The girls are now preparing for their section meet, where they’ll continue to train hard and hopefully punch their ticket to the state meet.