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P.O. Female Athlete of the Week: Madison Osanitsch


In the most important dual meet of the season for the Shippensburg girls swim team, Madison Osanitsch was at her best.

Literally, at her best.

She swam three lifetime bests in four events and helped the Lady Hounds to a 96-89 victory over Northern York. Osanitsch has been named the Public Opinion Female Athlete of the Week.

"That was our big meet of the season, and she rifled off three lifetime bests," Ship coach Jeff Kaminski said.

Osanitsch, a freshman, said, "I had no idea what to expect for that meet, but I thought I'd do well because of the training we've done. But the 200 freestyle time (1:59.91) was a big wow - I had no clue that time was going to happen."

She also won the 100 backstroke in a PR of 1:03.24, and her opening leg for the winning 200 free relay was 25.80, another lifetime best. She also swam the opening leg of the 400 free relay in 57.68.

Kaminski said, "We have a pipeline with our aquatics club, so I knew Madison and Makenna (Morris) would do well as freshmen because of the times they were swimming. We think they are close to state qualifying times."

What makes Osanitsch's accomplishments that much more impressive is that she had a very rough start to her high school swimming career. She contracted mononucleosis just before practices began, then later had to deal with whooping cough.

"The mono really affected my swimming, and I was frustrated," she said. "Then my resistance was down and I caught the whooping cough. I could train, but I couldn't do as much. I would swim some, then get tired and have to take a break. I didn't feel better until sometime in December, but I eventually caught up with my training."

That was made clear by her performance last week. All indications are there is is more success on the horizon.

Kaminski said, "I think we've got her in position to be on the podium at districts. We just need to identify what her two best events are."

"I think it would be really cool if Makenna and I could get to states this year," Osanitsch said. "We pace each other, so that would be awesome."

Madison Osanitsch, Shippensburg

Sport: Swimming

Grade: Freshman

Events: 200 and 500 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 200 and 400 free relays 

Parents: David & Julie Osanitsch

Interests: She expects to compete in track & field this spring in the hurdles, jumps and maybe sprints. 

Surprising fact: Osanitsch is a huge fan of reading; her favorite books are fantasy and sci-fi.

Favorite athlete: Missy Franklin 

Statistics: In a 96-89 win over Northern York on Tuesday, which was the key matchup in the Mid Penn Colonial Division this season, Osanitsch won the 200 freestyle (1:59.91) and 100 backstroke (1:03.24) and led off the winning 200 free relay with a 25.80 split - all 3 times were lifetime bests ... She also won the 50 and 500 freestyle events and swam on two winning relays in a win over Red Lion.