Sports : Viking swimmers set 27 personal bests against three big schools

We finished fourth but had a solid night swimming against some big schools and tough competition. Both West and City High return several state qualifiers. As a team, our 10 guys totaled 27 new personal best times.

We loaded up our relays because in a meet with this format, that is where the big points are unless you are able to place in the top 3 on an individual event. With the top-end talent from all three of those schools, our best opportunities to score big were there in the relays. Our relays actually outscored East 104 – 80 and were tight with Iowa City, falling by a score of 126 – 104.

The top finishes for the evening were 5th place relays in the 200 Free Relay (Levis, Upmeyer, Schemmel and Dickerson) and the 400 Free Relay (Dickerson, Upmeyer, Schemmel and Lash). The top individual event finish was Anthony Dickerson in 6th in the 100 Butterfly.

This is a very inexperienced team with only one senior and eight guys in their first or second year. Tonight was an exceptionally big night for some of these new guys as first year swimmers Alex Dick (FR), Caleb Kruckenburg (SO) and Jordan Evans (JR) all registered personal best times in every one of their four events. Second year swimmers Josh Rake (SO) and Kyle Schemmel (JR) each also achieved three new personal best times. Additionally senior Matt Lash went for personal bests in all four of his events.

See complete results HERE.