Whitnall swimmer Beckman stands out

MADISON – In the moments immediately following Nicole Beckman’s amazing finish in the 100-yard butterfly Friday, there was a bit of confusion.

“I looked at the scoreboard and I was like ‘Am I in Lane 5,’ ” she said. “Is that me? And it was.”

The Whitnall senior may been a little light-headed after scoring one of the more dramatic victories of the WIAA Division 2 state meet at the UW Natatorium.

Behind a couple of strokes to Madison Edgewood senior Kaitlyn Barth after the final turn, Beckman dug deep for her strongest finish and fastest time ever in the event.

She touched the wall in 56.67 seconds. Barth, who beat Beckman at the Small School Invite on Oct. 13, finished in 56.94.

Beckman is Whitnall’s first state champion since Rachel Stave won the 2012 diving title.

Her performance highlighted a state meet won by Madison Edgewood for the fourth straight year. Greendale took fourth for the area’s best finish.

There were two meet records set, both by McFarland senior Alex Moderski. She capped her career with state records of 22.77 in the 50 freestyle and 49.68 in the 100 freestyle.

❚ Whitnall sophomore Bella Smith, in just her second year diving, took second to Monona Grove sophomore Trinity McNall, 468.80-452.75.

❚ New Berlin Eisenhower junior Anna Oleniczak came from Lane 7 to finish second in the 200 individual medley in 2 minutes 9.06 seconds. Monroe/New Glarus sophomore MeKenzie Hammer (2:08.37) won. Oleniczak took fourth last year (2:10.11) and seventh as a freshman (2:12.73).

❚ Greendale junior Hannah Kujawa tied Edgewood senior Izzy Petersen for second in the 50 free (24.05), well behind Moderski’s record swim in the event. Kujawa finished fourth last year (24.20) and tied for ninth as a freshman (24.89).