Sectional results are up, as most know by now. Thanks to all for sending results tonight.
Here are the qualifying standards for both D1 and D2:
http://www.wiaawi.org/swimmingboys/standards.pdf
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Dive results now posted on WIAA website
The dive results from last night's competition in D1 and D2 are now posted on the WIAA website under results for boys swimming. Defending D1 state dive champ Nathan Cox of Menomonee Falls/Germantown/Hamilton led all D1 qualifiers with a score of 462.45, while Monona Grove's Trevor Sisson led D2 qualifiers with a score of 401.25.
Eau Claire swept the top three dive spots, giving them a big head start at the Hudson sectional, where they are the favorites. Neenah picked up 2nd and 4th place finishes, giving them a leg up on Bay Port, which had no divers, in the battle for supremacy at the Neenah sectional today.
In D2, the Tschoeke brothers from Ashwaubenon -- Nick and Ben -- went 1-2, with Nick just edging younger brother Ben by just .25 points. That will give the Jaguars a head start in their battle with Sturgeon Bay/Southern Door at the UW-Stevens Point sectional. The Sisson brothers also went 1-2 for Monona Grove at the Baraboo sectional, and it looks like MG diver Austin Anderson grabbed the 16th and last spot in the D2 state meet next week. Plymouth divers, led by sectional winner Josh Suchon, went 1-3-4 at their home pool. Cudahy divers Ryan Citro (397.60) and Jake Daughty went 1-2 for the Packers.
Eau Claire swept the top three dive spots, giving them a big head start at the Hudson sectional, where they are the favorites. Neenah picked up 2nd and 4th place finishes, giving them a leg up on Bay Port, which had no divers, in the battle for supremacy at the Neenah sectional today.
In D2, the Tschoeke brothers from Ashwaubenon -- Nick and Ben -- went 1-2, with Nick just edging younger brother Ben by just .25 points. That will give the Jaguars a head start in their battle with Sturgeon Bay/Southern Door at the UW-Stevens Point sectional. The Sisson brothers also went 1-2 for Monona Grove at the Baraboo sectional, and it looks like MG diver Austin Anderson grabbed the 16th and last spot in the D2 state meet next week. Plymouth divers, led by sectional winner Josh Suchon, went 1-3-4 at their home pool. Cudahy divers Ryan Citro (397.60) and Jake Daughty went 1-2 for the Packers.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Sectional match-ups worth watching
As results pour in Saturday after sectionals, here are some races and match-ups worth looking for:
D1
At the Greenfield/Greendale sectional, the host team has 8 of the 11 top seeds in swimming events, the most of any team in any division. Will that be enough to give the talented but not deep G/G squad the sectional 1st-place plaque? And who wins the match-up between the brothers DeVroy of Kenosha Bradford -- senior John and junior Joe -- in the 100 back? They own the top two seeds in the event.
The improving Hudson sectional will see a renewal of the local rivalry between Eau Claire Memoria/North and Chippewa Falls/McDonnell Central. Eau Claire's season was bolstered by the addition this year of Alex DeLakis, one of the top D1 freshman in the state. CF/MC's surge to a sectional contender is led by sophmore Austin Byrd. They'll go head-to-head in the 200 IM. A terrific contest is also shaping up here in the 200 free relay, where the top three seeded teams -- Eau Claire and CF/MC joined by Wausau East -- are separated by .14 seconds.
Two of the very best sprinters in the state -- Sauk Prairie/Wisconsin Heights' Matt Friede and Verona/Mount Horeb's Derek Toomey -- will lock horns again in both the 50 and 100 frees at the Middleton sectional. They pair own the two fastest seed times in the state in the two sprints, and have been trading off wins against each other most of the season. It's also been a while since a swimmer from Janesville Craig has nudged his way to a first-place finish in this Madison-dominated sectional. Can it happen this year? Craig breaststrokers Alex Loftus and Spencer Mattox own the #1 and #3 seeds in the event this year. And strap on your seat belts for the meet-ending 400 free relay here -- the top three seeded teams (Madison Memorial, Sauk and Verona) are separated by less than two seconds, with the prospect that Friede and Toomey will be battling Memorial star Michael Drives on the anchor legs.
Bay Port and the host Rockets are expected to battle it out for first place in the Neenah sectional, and they will face each other aplenty at the meet. Bay Port and Neenah swimmers and relays own two of the top three seeds is seven events -- the 200 free, the 100 free, the 100 back, the 100 breaststroke, and all three relays. How swimmers from the two teams sort themselves out in those events will probably go a long way toward deciding who emerges from this sectional in first place.
Talent abounds in the Waukesha South/Catholic Memorial sectional, the most competitive D1 sectional in the state. Nowhere is that more evident than in the 200 free, where seven swimmers have seed times of 1:47.08 or better. Alex Rodenkirk of New Berlin leads the way with a seed time of 1:44.36. Other potential terrific races here include the 50 free -- where the top three seeds are separated by one-tenth of a second -- and the 100 fly, with six swimmers seeded at 53.56 or faster. And how is this for quirky seeding? Arrowhead slotted five backstrokers into the meet, all five ended up seeded in the final heat, and with their times will be placed in lanes 1 through 5. Senior Chris Jenkyns of HA leads the way with a time of 53.39. This is another sectional where it's worth staying until the end, as Arrowhead, WS/CM and New Berlin own seed times within about a half-second of each other in the 400 free relay -- and all three are seeded under 3:17. The relay could determine the winner of the sectional.
D2
McFarland enters the Baraboo sectional as the favorites, with Madison Edgewood trying to close the gap on the three-time defending state champs. Four of the best swimmers in the sectional -- two from each team -- will match up in what should be two terrific races. In the 200 free, defending state champ Brian Heiser of McFarland goes up against Edgewood's Chase Stephens -- the pair own the two fastest seed times in the state in the event by more than four seconds. Then Edgewood's Drew teDuits goes up against the Spartans' Ryan O'Donnell in the 100 fly, an event neither swam last year at sectionals. They, too, own the top two seed times in the state in the event. Another great race -- O'Donnell against Milton's Jeff Maxwell in the 200 IM; the pair own the only sub-2 minute seed times in the event in the state. O'Donnell was 2nd in this event last year at state to his brother Brandon, while Maxwell swam the 200 free the last two years at state. But he switched to the IM to set up a rematch with O'Donnell of their 200 IM race at the Small School State Invitational, which O'Donnell won by 1.54 seconds.
Whitefish Bay and Shorewood will battle it out for first place in the Cudahy sectional, and the outcome will likely depend on how six races shake out. The two teams own the top two seeds in each of the three relays. In addition, they own five of the top seven seeds in the 200 IM, and seeds #2 through #6 in the 100 free. Then there's the breaststroke, where WBay's terrific duo of D.J. Freisch and Jason Castillo goes up against five Shorewood breaststrokers seeded 11th or higher. And speaking of the breaststroke, how many Cudahy sectional swimmers in the event will make it to state? Last year it was an amazing 10; this year, eight are seeded to make it.
Will the divers from Plymouth be enough to help the host team capture the sectional title? Plymouth has three divers entered to one for Cedarburg, and none for Berlin/Green Lake and Kiel/Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah -- the top four teams in the sectional. This may turn out to be the most closely contested of the four D2 sectionals. And just how many of Kiel's 500 free swimmers will make it to state? Five are entered in the event, and four are seeded to get out, led by brothers Nic and Tim Halverson.
D1
At the Greenfield/Greendale sectional, the host team has 8 of the 11 top seeds in swimming events, the most of any team in any division. Will that be enough to give the talented but not deep G/G squad the sectional 1st-place plaque? And who wins the match-up between the brothers DeVroy of Kenosha Bradford -- senior John and junior Joe -- in the 100 back? They own the top two seeds in the event.
The improving Hudson sectional will see a renewal of the local rivalry between Eau Claire Memoria/North and Chippewa Falls/McDonnell Central. Eau Claire's season was bolstered by the addition this year of Alex DeLakis, one of the top D1 freshman in the state. CF/MC's surge to a sectional contender is led by sophmore Austin Byrd. They'll go head-to-head in the 200 IM. A terrific contest is also shaping up here in the 200 free relay, where the top three seeded teams -- Eau Claire and CF/MC joined by Wausau East -- are separated by .14 seconds.
Two of the very best sprinters in the state -- Sauk Prairie/Wisconsin Heights' Matt Friede and Verona/Mount Horeb's Derek Toomey -- will lock horns again in both the 50 and 100 frees at the Middleton sectional. They pair own the two fastest seed times in the state in the two sprints, and have been trading off wins against each other most of the season. It's also been a while since a swimmer from Janesville Craig has nudged his way to a first-place finish in this Madison-dominated sectional. Can it happen this year? Craig breaststrokers Alex Loftus and Spencer Mattox own the #1 and #3 seeds in the event this year. And strap on your seat belts for the meet-ending 400 free relay here -- the top three seeded teams (Madison Memorial, Sauk and Verona) are separated by less than two seconds, with the prospect that Friede and Toomey will be battling Memorial star Michael Drives on the anchor legs.
Bay Port and the host Rockets are expected to battle it out for first place in the Neenah sectional, and they will face each other aplenty at the meet. Bay Port and Neenah swimmers and relays own two of the top three seeds is seven events -- the 200 free, the 100 free, the 100 back, the 100 breaststroke, and all three relays. How swimmers from the two teams sort themselves out in those events will probably go a long way toward deciding who emerges from this sectional in first place.
Talent abounds in the Waukesha South/Catholic Memorial sectional, the most competitive D1 sectional in the state. Nowhere is that more evident than in the 200 free, where seven swimmers have seed times of 1:47.08 or better. Alex Rodenkirk of New Berlin leads the way with a seed time of 1:44.36. Other potential terrific races here include the 50 free -- where the top three seeds are separated by one-tenth of a second -- and the 100 fly, with six swimmers seeded at 53.56 or faster. And how is this for quirky seeding? Arrowhead slotted five backstrokers into the meet, all five ended up seeded in the final heat, and with their times will be placed in lanes 1 through 5. Senior Chris Jenkyns of HA leads the way with a time of 53.39. This is another sectional where it's worth staying until the end, as Arrowhead, WS/CM and New Berlin own seed times within about a half-second of each other in the 400 free relay -- and all three are seeded under 3:17. The relay could determine the winner of the sectional.
D2
McFarland enters the Baraboo sectional as the favorites, with Madison Edgewood trying to close the gap on the three-time defending state champs. Four of the best swimmers in the sectional -- two from each team -- will match up in what should be two terrific races. In the 200 free, defending state champ Brian Heiser of McFarland goes up against Edgewood's Chase Stephens -- the pair own the two fastest seed times in the state in the event by more than four seconds. Then Edgewood's Drew teDuits goes up against the Spartans' Ryan O'Donnell in the 100 fly, an event neither swam last year at sectionals. They, too, own the top two seed times in the state in the event. Another great race -- O'Donnell against Milton's Jeff Maxwell in the 200 IM; the pair own the only sub-2 minute seed times in the event in the state. O'Donnell was 2nd in this event last year at state to his brother Brandon, while Maxwell swam the 200 free the last two years at state. But he switched to the IM to set up a rematch with O'Donnell of their 200 IM race at the Small School State Invitational, which O'Donnell won by 1.54 seconds.
Whitefish Bay and Shorewood will battle it out for first place in the Cudahy sectional, and the outcome will likely depend on how six races shake out. The two teams own the top two seeds in each of the three relays. In addition, they own five of the top seven seeds in the 200 IM, and seeds #2 through #6 in the 100 free. Then there's the breaststroke, where WBay's terrific duo of D.J. Freisch and Jason Castillo goes up against five Shorewood breaststrokers seeded 11th or higher. And speaking of the breaststroke, how many Cudahy sectional swimmers in the event will make it to state? Last year it was an amazing 10; this year, eight are seeded to make it.
Will the divers from Plymouth be enough to help the host team capture the sectional title? Plymouth has three divers entered to one for Cedarburg, and none for Berlin/Green Lake and Kiel/Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah -- the top four teams in the sectional. This may turn out to be the most closely contested of the four D2 sectionals. And just how many of Kiel's 500 free swimmers will make it to state? Five are entered in the event, and four are seeded to get out, led by brothers Nic and Tim Halverson.
Sectional strength -- by the numbers
Which are the most competitive sectionals this year? Who has the fastest swimmers? Which events are the most competitive and deepest?
One way of assessing sectional strength is to look at how many swimmers in any given sectional, and in any given event, have seed times faster than last year's qualifying times -- the last time to make it to the state meet.
Here's a look at the number of swimmers in each sectional who have, based on seed times, already swum below last year's qualifying times:
D1
Waukesha South/Catholic Memorial -- 58
Middleton -- 40
Neenah -- 23
Hudson -- 21
Greenfield/Greendale -- 10
Marquette -- 7
D2
Baraboo -- 48
Cudahy -- 31
Plymouth -- 26
UW-Stevens Point -- 9
Here's a look at the events in each division, based on the number of swimmers and relays who have swum faster than last year's qualifying times:
D1
200 medley -- 13
200 free -- 18
200 IM -- 21
50 free -- 9
100 fly -- 12
100 free -- 14
500 free -- 15
200 free relay -- 19
100 back -- 16
100 breaststroke -- 7
400 free relay -- 15
D2
200 medley -- 14
200 free -- 8
200 IM -- 10
50 free -- 5
100 fly -- 13
100 free -- 7
500 free -- 12
200 free relay -- 9
100 back -- 18
100 breaststroke -- 11
400 free relay -- 7
One way of assessing sectional strength is to look at how many swimmers in any given sectional, and in any given event, have seed times faster than last year's qualifying times -- the last time to make it to the state meet.
Here's a look at the number of swimmers in each sectional who have, based on seed times, already swum below last year's qualifying times:
D1
Waukesha South/Catholic Memorial -- 58
Middleton -- 40
Neenah -- 23
Hudson -- 21
Greenfield/Greendale -- 10
Marquette -- 7
D2
Baraboo -- 48
Cudahy -- 31
Plymouth -- 26
UW-Stevens Point -- 9
Here's a look at the events in each division, based on the number of swimmers and relays who have swum faster than last year's qualifying times:
D1
200 medley -- 13
200 free -- 18
200 IM -- 21
50 free -- 9
100 fly -- 12
100 free -- 14
500 free -- 15
200 free relay -- 19
100 back -- 16
100 breaststroke -- 7
400 free relay -- 15
D2
200 medley -- 14
200 free -- 8
200 IM -- 10
50 free -- 5
100 fly -- 13
100 free -- 7
500 free -- 12
200 free relay -- 9
100 back -- 18
100 breaststroke -- 11
400 free relay -- 7
Hartford's Aiden Kohnhorst
The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel features Hartford's Aiden Kohnhorst, one of several outstanding distance swimmers competing this Saturday in sectional competition:
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/preps/84190057.html
Kohnhorst, a senior, will be competing in both the 200 and 500 frees at the Waukesha South sectional. He finished 5th (200) and 3rd (500) last year at the D1 state meet.
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/preps/84190057.html
Kohnhorst, a senior, will be competing in both the 200 and 500 frees at the Waukesha South sectional. He finished 5th (200) and 3rd (500) last year at the D1 state meet.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Sectional psych sheets posted; first glance
The sectional psych sheets are posted on the WIAA website under "boys swimming" -- try this link: http://www.wiaawi.org/index.php?id=438
We'll do some digging into them and post observations later tonight.
UPDATE -- A few observations:
-- Only one defending state champ -- Danny Brebrick of Wausau East -- won't be defending his title in that event this year. Brebrick, who won the 100 free last year swimming out of lane 1 in the final heat, opted instead for the 200 and 500 frees this year. He has the top seed in each event at the Hudson sectional. Six other defending state champs -- Michael Drives of Madison Memorial (D1 200 free), Tyler Lentz of Sauk Prairie/Wisconsin Heights (D1 200 IM), Matt Friede of Sauk (D1 50 free), Brian Heiser of McFarland (D2 200 free), Drew teDuits of Madison Edgewood (D2 100 backstroke), and Alex Riegert of Delavan-Darien (100 breaststroke) -- are back in those events this year.
-- How fast will swimmers need to be in Division 1 to qualify for the final heat of the 500 free? 4:45? With eight swimmers currently seeded at 4:50.21 or faster -- including five competing at the very fast Waukesha South pool -- going under 4:45 may be what it takes to swim the final heat. Noah Potratz of Waukesha South/Catholic Memorial leads the way with a seed time of 4:41.62, with Drives of Memorial -- he of the 4:29.98 second-place effort from last year's state meet -- looming with the second-fastest seed. How fast has the 500 free gotten in D1 this year? Bobby Wolf of Muskego, fourth last year at state, is seeded 6th in his sectional. This is maybe the deepest race in either division this year.
-- Earning a sectional top seed as a freshman doesn't occur all that often, so it's worth noting that Eau Claire's Alex DeLakis earned top seeds in both his events at the Hudson sectional -- the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke. His 59.18 in the 100 breaststroke leads all D1 breaststrokers.
-- The Michael Drives/Tyler Lentz dual in the 200 IM won't happen. The two seniors are the last two swimmers to win the IM at the D1 state meet. Both chose to defend their current titles -- Drives in the 200 free, Lentz in the 200 IM.
-- But the Derek Toomey/Matt Friede show will go on, as the two seniors from Verona/Mount Horeb and Sauk continue their season-long duel at the Middleton sectional. They'll match up in both the 50 and 100 frees, with Friede holding the top seed in the 50 free and Toomey the top seed in the 100 free. In a 100 free field at Middleton with three other swimmers seeded under 50 seconds, the pair own the two fastest seed times by more than two seconds.
-- How deep is the Div. 2 sectional at Baraboo? Very. At the Small School State Invitational two weeks ago at Plymouth, there was some speculation among coaches and fans that the Baraboo sectional might produce every single D2 state champ this year. This year, Baraboo sectional divers, swimmers and relays own the top overall seed times in the state save for one -- the 400 free relay, presumably anchored by Wisconsin recruit Chuckie Prestigiacomo, of Whitefish Bay. Five of the top 10 D2 teams in the lastest WISCA coaches poll will be at Baraboo.
-- Maybe it's time for the WIAA to re-think the D1 Marquette (formerly Nicolet) sectional, held this year at the Brown Deer Schroeder Aquatic Center. The sectional includes mostly Milwaukee City Conference co-op teams, plus a few close-in suburban teams. But when a sectional can't even fill one complete heat of events (200 IM, 500 free) and only muster five relays for the meet-ending 400 free relay, something ought to be adjusted. Some solid D1 squads -- notably Menomonee Falls/Germantown/Hamilton and Mequon Homestead -- are closer to Schroeder than the incredibly deep Waukesha South sectional they are sent to; why can't the WIAA do some simple geographic adjustments to maintain some competitive balance? It's done so in other sports, notably football come playoff time. UPDATE: It looks like Milwaukee Riverside has now added their entries to the sectional, but with no times.
We'll do some digging into them and post observations later tonight.
UPDATE -- A few observations:
-- Only one defending state champ -- Danny Brebrick of Wausau East -- won't be defending his title in that event this year. Brebrick, who won the 100 free last year swimming out of lane 1 in the final heat, opted instead for the 200 and 500 frees this year. He has the top seed in each event at the Hudson sectional. Six other defending state champs -- Michael Drives of Madison Memorial (D1 200 free), Tyler Lentz of Sauk Prairie/Wisconsin Heights (D1 200 IM), Matt Friede of Sauk (D1 50 free), Brian Heiser of McFarland (D2 200 free), Drew teDuits of Madison Edgewood (D2 100 backstroke), and Alex Riegert of Delavan-Darien (100 breaststroke) -- are back in those events this year.
-- How fast will swimmers need to be in Division 1 to qualify for the final heat of the 500 free? 4:45? With eight swimmers currently seeded at 4:50.21 or faster -- including five competing at the very fast Waukesha South pool -- going under 4:45 may be what it takes to swim the final heat. Noah Potratz of Waukesha South/Catholic Memorial leads the way with a seed time of 4:41.62, with Drives of Memorial -- he of the 4:29.98 second-place effort from last year's state meet -- looming with the second-fastest seed. How fast has the 500 free gotten in D1 this year? Bobby Wolf of Muskego, fourth last year at state, is seeded 6th in his sectional. This is maybe the deepest race in either division this year.
-- Earning a sectional top seed as a freshman doesn't occur all that often, so it's worth noting that Eau Claire's Alex DeLakis earned top seeds in both his events at the Hudson sectional -- the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke. His 59.18 in the 100 breaststroke leads all D1 breaststrokers.
-- The Michael Drives/Tyler Lentz dual in the 200 IM won't happen. The two seniors are the last two swimmers to win the IM at the D1 state meet. Both chose to defend their current titles -- Drives in the 200 free, Lentz in the 200 IM.
-- But the Derek Toomey/Matt Friede show will go on, as the two seniors from Verona/Mount Horeb and Sauk continue their season-long duel at the Middleton sectional. They'll match up in both the 50 and 100 frees, with Friede holding the top seed in the 50 free and Toomey the top seed in the 100 free. In a 100 free field at Middleton with three other swimmers seeded under 50 seconds, the pair own the two fastest seed times by more than two seconds.
-- How deep is the Div. 2 sectional at Baraboo? Very. At the Small School State Invitational two weeks ago at Plymouth, there was some speculation among coaches and fans that the Baraboo sectional might produce every single D2 state champ this year. This year, Baraboo sectional divers, swimmers and relays own the top overall seed times in the state save for one -- the 400 free relay, presumably anchored by Wisconsin recruit Chuckie Prestigiacomo, of Whitefish Bay. Five of the top 10 D2 teams in the lastest WISCA coaches poll will be at Baraboo.
-- Maybe it's time for the WIAA to re-think the D1 Marquette (formerly Nicolet) sectional, held this year at the Brown Deer Schroeder Aquatic Center. The sectional includes mostly Milwaukee City Conference co-op teams, plus a few close-in suburban teams. But when a sectional can't even fill one complete heat of events (200 IM, 500 free) and only muster five relays for the meet-ending 400 free relay, something ought to be adjusted. Some solid D1 squads -- notably Menomonee Falls/Germantown/Hamilton and Mequon Homestead -- are closer to Schroeder than the incredibly deep Waukesha South sectional they are sent to; why can't the WIAA do some simple geographic adjustments to maintain some competitive balance? It's done so in other sports, notably football come playoff time. UPDATE: It looks like Milwaukee Riverside has now added their entries to the sectional, but with no times.
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