Sectional primer

D1

Hudson: A deep and solid Eau Claire squad (#4 in the latest D1 poll) is the favorite here; they won last year over runner-up Wausau East, which graduated three of its best swimmers. Eau Claire – a newly formed co-op between Memorial and North – has been solid all season, with freshman Alex DeLakis leading a strong group of swimmers. DeLakis has two top sectional seeds, including the fastest seed time in the state in the 100 breaststroke (59.18). Eau Claire also has three divers entered, which should further help their chances to repeat their win from last year. An emerging Chippewa Falls/McDonnell Central team (#9 in the D1 poll), led by outstanding sophomore Austin Byrd, will push Eau Claire. Look for some very competitive relay races between the two teams. Wausau East’s Danny Brebrick chose not to defend his state title in the 100 free; he’s the top seed in the sectional in both the 200 and 500 frees.

Neenah: Look out for Bayport; second last year in this sectional to the host Rockets, the Pirates have put together an outstanding season that puts them among the contenders for the D1 state title. Seniors Ryan Keuler and Andrew Sumnicht lead a host of solid swimmers for a team that has the potential to put three relays through into the final, fastest heat of the state meet. Neenah counters with junior Matt Hollub, top seed in both the 100 free and back. Appleton North/East , led by 500 free swimmer Jake Iotte, will also be a strong presence here; all three top teams should send multiple swimmers to state in this improving sectional. Steve Bothun of Appleton West/Kimberly is one of the top divers in the state.

Middleton: One of the deepest sectionals in the state. Madison Memorial is seeking to defend its state crown from a year ago; they are led by senior Michael Drives, looking to add to his two individual titles he’s won already (200 free last year, 200 IM two years ago). A number of other top-tier swimmers who made it to the podium last year return, including Sauk Prairie/Wisconsin Heights’ dynamic duo of seniors Tyler Lentz (state champ last year in the 200 IM) and Matt Friede (tied for first last year in the 50 free), Verona/Mount Horeb senior sprinter Derek Toomey, and Madison East’s Robert Miner. Memorial, Sauk, Verona, East, Madison West, and Middleton all should qualify one or more relays to state.

Marquette: Moved this year to the Schroeder Aquatic Center in Brown Deer, the host team should dominate a sectional comprised mostly of Milwaukee teams. Probably the weakest of the six D1 sectionals, it’s quite possible a sectional winner will emerge with a slower time than one of the top-24 qualifying times in one or more events. Marquette’s Lucas Kuriga, one of the top sophomores in the state, has top seeds in the 50 and 100 frees. Marquette’s Mike Donofrio is one the top divers in the state.

Waukesha South: This probably gets the nod over Middleton as the deepest and toughest sectional in the state. As has been the case in recent years, the super-fast Waukesha South pool will likely produce some of the fastest sectional times in the state, as coaches have recognized this is a very competitive sectional to get out of and thus semi-taper swimmers for the sectional. Hartland Arrowhead and the host Blackshirts are the favorites, while New Berlin, Brookfield, Muskego, Menomonee Falls/Germantown/Hamilton, Mequon Homestead, Hartford, and Watertown will all send solid swimmers to this sectional with good chances of making it to state. New Berlin’s Alex Rodenkirk is the lone swimmer to earn two top seeds here (200 and 100 frees). The relays at this sectional look to be very competitive and fast. Nathan Cox of the Menomonee Falls co-op, who has been diving extremely well of late, is the defending state champ in diving.

Greenfield: This will mark the debut of the Greenfield pool – just opened last month – for this sectional. Does the host Greenfield/Greendale co-op have enough depth to capture the sectional title at home? They have three of the better swimmers in the state in senior Mike Lucchesi and juniors Jack Lennertz and Matt Jungers, and earned eight of the 11 top seeds in swimming. Brothers Joe and John DeVroy lead a Kenosha Bradford squad trying to move up from last year’s second-place finish at this sectional. Racine Case junior Richard Bradley is one of the state’s top divers, and leads a Case squad that also hopes to contend for the sectional title.

D2

UW-Stevens Point: A somewhat depleted sectional, with the move of a rising Berlin/Green Lake squad to the Plymouth sectional, and last year’s sectional champs and third-place finishers at state – Ashwaubenon – hit hard by graduation. Sturgeon Bay/Southern Door looks to be the favorites here, with Ashwaubenon also contending. Junior Andrew Nielsen of Lakeland earned two top sectional seeds (200 free, 100 back).

Baraboo: A brutally tough sectional, starting with the three-time defending state champs in McFarland and four other teams in the top-10 of the state coach’s poll. McFarland last year got 17 of its 18 individual sectional entries to state, plus all three relays (all of which won at state). They are nearly as deep this year; six members of the team have either won state titles or swum on gold-medal relays. Senior Brian Heiser, defending state champ in the 200 free, leads a very good Spartan squad. Edgewood features junior Drew teDuits (defending state champ in the backstroke) and senior Chase Stephens, two of the best D2 swimmers in the state; the pair have four top sectional seeds between them. Milton brings senior Jeff Maxwell, a former state champ in the 500 free who has the top seed time in the state in the 500 by more than 16 seconds. Fort Atkinson, Monona Grove, and Waunakee also bring back state-qualifying swimmers and relays from last year. MG’s Trevor Sisson is the favorite to win the D2 state diving title after finishing 3rd last year.

Plymouth: Cedarburg won this sectional last year by a narrow 25.5 point margin over Plymouth, and both return solid squads. Watch out as well for Berlin/Green Lake – led by sprinter Greg Hameister, the B/GL co-op has had a solid campaign this season and will certainly be in the mix for the sectional title. Junior Carl Newenhouse leads the Cedarburg squad, while senior Jesse Gambrell hopes to lead the host Panthers – which will be helped by its three divers -- to a sectional win. Grafton’s Al Nenning is the top seed in the 200 IM and second behind Newenhouse in the back; he’s been D2’s outstanding freshman all season.

Cudahy: Reminiscent of Ali-Frazier, as heavyweights Whitefish Bay and Shorewood battle it out in a match-up of D2’s #2 and #3-ranked teams. Both these squads are deep and will qualify multiple swimmers and relays to state. Senior sprinter Chuckie Prestigiacomo leads the Blue Dukes, while senior Stephen Meyer of Shorewood leads the Greyhounds. Not as deep a sectional as in previous years, as teams such as Delavan-Darien, Elkhorn, and Whitnall were hit hard by graduation. Nicolet, a longtime D1 swim power, moves down to D2 and this sectional this year. D-D’s Alex Riegert is the defending state champ in the breaststroke, and also has the sectional’s top seed in the 100 free.