Conference realignment brings McFarland to Badger North

By Dan Larson, Sauk Prairie Eagle

For all intents and purposes, this year's Sauk Prairie girls' swimming schedule doesn't look much different than any other year.

At least not until Oct. 7 when McFarland comes to town for a Northern Badger dual meet.

McFarland moves from the Southern Badger to the Northern Badger to balance the two conferences while making room for Fort Atkinson and Milton, who replaced Verona, which left the Southern Badger for the Big Eight Conference.

And while even Sauk Prairie coach Melanie Guentherman had a hard time keeping track of the changes, she does know it'll be good for the conference.

"The more competitive the conference is ... the better you swim. I'm excited to have them in the conference," she said of the Spartans, who placed eighth at the WIAA Division 2 state swimming and diving meet last year and finished just three points ahead of the 11th-place Eagles.

"It'll be another great opportunity for our girls to compete against state-level competition in a dual meet."

Guentherman is right in saying it's another opportunity. In addition to McFarland, the Eagles dual-meet schedule is highlighted by trips to Madison Memorial (second place at the Division 1 state meet last year) and Baraboo (15th place in Division 2), and a home meet against DeForest (two-time defending Division 2 state champion).