4. Lindsey Horejsi rewrites Tigers’ swimming record book

Albert Lea’s Lindsey Horejsi wrapped up one of the greatest single seasons in girls’ swimming history on Nov. 19 when she placed second in the state in the 100-yard breastroke at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center in Minneapolis.

Only an eighth-grader, Horejsi led the event’s defending champion, Kathryn Ostrum, of St. Louis Park, by 1/10 second over the race’s first 50 yards. Ostrum passed Horejsi on the final 50 and the junior won the state title by .41 seconds.

“She did everything she could,” Tigers head coach Jon Schmitz said following the race. “It was the best she had today which is all we can ask for. It was a great race.”

Horejsi finished the race in 1 minute and 5.06 seconds. The time broke her personal best and the school record, earned her All-State honors and All-American consideration.

Horejsi was also the anchor of a relay team that placed at state. The 200-yard freestyle relay of seniors Galen Schulz and Morgan Field and eighth-graders Anna Andersen and Horejsi placed eighth in 1:40.40.

Horejsi made noise on Sept. 8 when she broke the 30-year-old school record in the 200-yard individual medley relay previous held by Tracy Bergo. Horejsi then went on to break the school record in the 100 breastroke, previously set in 2009.

Horejsi then surprised herself with a few extra birthday presents on Sept. 15, when a day after turning 14 she set three more records.

Horejsi set new school records in the 200 individual medley and 200 freestyle relay, and the pool records in the 50-yard freestyle and 200 breastroke.