by By Dan Ninham
Makenna Winnicki is a Forest County Potawatomi tribal member. She is a 2021 graduate of Rhinelander High School, a four-year member of the swim team, and team captain for two years. She is also a state champion swimmer.
“Being a part of the 2020 WI D2 Girls State Swim Championship team as a senior captain has probably been my biggest athletic accomplishment,” said Makenna. “As a senior I qualified for two individual events and two relay events. I finished fourth in the 500 freestyle, ninth in the 200 IM, third in the 200 Medley Relay and first with the 400 Free Relay.”
Makenna will be attending the University Colorado-Boulder in the fall to study Biological Sciences and Integrative Physiology. UC-Boulder does not have an NCAA swim team, but she is looking forward to joining and competing with the schools club team.
“Megan Cihla has been my club coach for years,” said Makenna. “Although I didn’t actually swim club the last few years I continued to be involved by coaching and lifeguarding. Megan taught me great fundamentals to build upon that didn’t apply not only to swimming, but life as well. She taught me how important it is to push myself, believe in myself and no matter how difficult it may be, to not give up and do my best to remain positive.”
“Jenny Heck has been my coach all four years of high school,” said Makenna. “She has been very supportive of me in all that I do. She is a very supportive and a positive person.”
“Makenna’s swimming success at a young age has been very influential on Rhinelander swimming,” said Jenny Heck, Rhinelander HS head swimming coach. “She trained and competed year round not only in the pool but open water swimming as well. Her dedication to the sport of swim and her ability and willingness to put in extra work not only in the off-season but as a distance swimmer is impressive.”
“Makenna is a talented swimmer in all strokes and distances. Her leadership and success in the pool along with her willingness to help younger swimmers within the club elevated those around her. She played a large role in the team’s current success and State title and she also gave back by helping the Rhinelander HS Hodag swimmers next in line. For that I am grateful and Hodag proud,” added Jenny.
“Winning State is truly something I will never forget,” said Makenna. “I did not have the times I wanted individually, and that was hard, but I swam a lifetime best in the final winning relay of the meet.”
“Knowing that I was a part of the first ever State Championship Swim Team, men’s or women’s, for Rhinelander HS is very special to me, not only because it was my last high school meet ever, but because it was a moment I shared with my younger sister, Abi.”
Photo Credit: Bob Mainhardt
