Swimming: Two Wingers nominated for swim Athlete of the Year

Two Red Wing High School swimmers have been nominated for Athlete of the Year awards from the Minnesota Swim Coaches Association for Class A.

Red Wing sophomore Tanner Alms and senior Abbey Schnaith have been nominated following their sensational years­ in the pool.

Alms, who was nominated last year, won the 500-yard freestyle at the Class A meet for the second consecutive year in March. Last season he broke the Class A record in the event.

“It is very difficult to be nominated for Athlete of the Year,” Red Wing boys swimming head coach Gene Petersen said. “In our history we have only had a handful of nominations and only one win on the boys’ side.”

Turner Eckstrom won the award in 2010 after tying the all-time state record in diving.

Schnaith earned a nomination after capping her career off with a fourth-place finish in the 100 freestyle and a sixth-place finish in the 100 backstroke at the girls Class A meet.

Schnaith has been an all-state athlete for the past five seasons in a row and won 15 all-state awards in her career. Schnaith also holds four school records, three All-American consideration times and a 4.0 GPA.

The awards will be announced April 13 at the all-state banquet in Oakdale.

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