Minnesota State Champ Griffin Wolner Signs With South Dakota Coyotes

griffin-wolner-south-dakota
Photo Courtesy: Winona Winhawk Swim and Dive team

NEW COMMIT: Griffin Wolner, from Winona, Minnesota, has officially signed with the University of South Dakota Coyotes Swimming and Diving Team and will begin his freshman year this fall.

Wolner is a versatile swimmer who looks to make an immediate mark on the Coyote team in the 200 Free, 500 Free, 100 Butterfly, and/or 400 IM. His current best times would place him top 8 in the 200, 500, and 400 IM in the Summit League and his 100 Fly would make top 10.

“It feels great to officially sign with the University of South Dakota! I love the small-town feel and the beautiful campus! The coaches and athletes made me feel like a welcomed and valued addition to the team and I look forward to training and competing with them this fall. Thank you to my parents, my brother Grant, my sister Harper, my current teammates, and my coaches! Go ‘Yotes!“

Wolner swims for the Winona Winhawk high school team and the local Winona Swim Club. Wolner is a 6 year letter winner, a 5 time Big 9 All-Conference recipient, a 3 time All-State honoree, has 3 Individual State Championships and was a member of 2 State Champion relay teams.

Wolner has been a beacon for both programs and he has reinvigorated the competitive fire on a Winhawk boys team that has continually improved each season since his 7th grade year. That team in 7th grade won one dual meet, in 8th grade it won 2 meets. By the end of Wolner’s freshman year the team had finished 28th in the State.

His Sophomore year the team moved up to 15th in State as Wolner placed 5th in the 200 Free and 2nd in the 500 Free. His Junior year, he lead the team at State by winning the 200 and 500 Freestyle and anchoring the 200 and 400 Freestyle relays that both placed in the top 8 in the State. The team tied for 5th place, the highest team finish since 2000 and this was also the first State Champion for Winona since 1987.

This Senior year, Wolner set numerous meet and pool records, etched his name on 3 individual School Records – 200 Free, 100 Fly, 500 Free – and was a member of all 3 Relays that established School Records. At State he won the 200 Freestyle, was 2nd in the 500 Freestyle, and was a member of both the 200 and 400 Freestyle relays that won State with All-American Consideration times. His stellar performances and leadership helped the team to a 2nd place finish at State, a feat that Winona had not achieved since 1956.

These senior year accolades were all accomplished while Wolner dealt with a horrible case of Mononucleosis that was diagnosed on Christmas Eve. Wolner only missed two meets but swam each day, showing his never-ending commitment to his team and teammates. He will leave as the most decorated swimmer in school history but will be better known as a true leader, a humble competitor, and a great teammate.

Best Yard times:

  • 50 FR 21.64
  • 100 FR 46.94
  • 200 FR 1:40.57
  • 500 FR 4:39.54
  • 100 Fly 51.66
  • 400 IM 4:09.85

Winona Winhawk Swim and Dive team contributed this report. 

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Terry Shamley
5 years ago

Congratulations to Griffin!

Linda Benson
5 years ago

Congratulations Griffin!! It will be exciting to hear all that you do!!

Hunter Huntress
5 years ago

Congratulations ? Amazing person and amazing athlete! Good luck with all you do!!!

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