Boys Swimming Previews: Looking at what's ahead in the pool
MONROE - Erin Dowen isn’t used to having so much company in the pool.
Since returning to her alma mater to take over the swimming program, Dowen has struggled with small numbers at Monroe.
She has 23 boys on the team this season after 17 last year and 10 the year before.
“Man, it’s a lot of fun,” Dowen said. “Since I took over, our main goals have just been to grow the team. That’s something we’ve been able to do.”
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Dowen is creating some enthusiasm for swimming at Monroe.
“We’re super thankful that we’re getting kids to try it,” she said. “We have a handful who have never tried swimming before.
“It’s a lot fun to see a kid grow and learn so quickly.”
The Trojans even have two divers this season, who are being coached by Dowen’s father – former Monroe coach Ron Evans.
BEDFORD
Coach: Holly Scheffer, 11th year.
Returning state qualifiers: Junior Jordan Belnap (relays).
Other top performers: Seniors Logan Williams, Adrik Ruch; juniors Ayden Gueldenzoph, Grant Hertzsch, Gage Blasingim; sophomores Aaron Majewski, Avery Hall, and Andy Nelson; freshmen Ryan Sharkus, Brodie Bomia, Trent Zander, Dane Hieronimis.
Season outlook: The Mules have to do some rebuilding after graduating a big senior class last year.
Coach’s comments: Bedford will be a smaller team this year, but it should be a great group to work with. We will be rebuilding after losing a strong group of seniors last year.”
DUNDEE
Coach: Sarah Eubanks, fifth year.
Returning state qualifiers: Senior Drew Bylow (200 freestyle, backstroke); junior TK Westbrook (200, 500 freestyle); sophomores Lukas Neikirk (diving), Aaron Brewer (diving).
Other top performers: Senior Jack Brunner, Will Braunlich; juniors Isaak Rubley, Dallas Bench; freshmen Mike Gerweck, Christ Hurst, Connor Swanson.
Coach’s comments: “We have a young team this season – six sophomores and six freshmen. Our upper classmen are strong and our young athletes are excited to learn.”
ERIE MASON-IDA
Coach: Andy Mosley, sixth year.
Returning state qualifiers: Senior Lucas Moore; juniors Cameron Tross, Garrett Wall; sophomores Mason Reynolds, Brenner Nelson.
Other top performers: Seniors Brenden Perry, Aaron Koehn, Luke Small; junior Kaleb Mannor; freshman David Mills.
Season outlook: Mason missed qualifying for four individual events and one relay all by less than a half second last season. The Eagles graduated just one senior last year. That should the team very competitive at the league and county meet.
Coach’s comments: “This team has the chance of being the best I have coached since taking over sux years ago. I am very excited to see how the season turns out after we will finally be in our own pool for a full year.”
FLAT ROCK
Coach: Jacob Mouro, first year.
Top performers: Juniors Vaughn Tanner, Alexander Dropiewski, Adam Brodie; sophomore Jake Stanislawski.
Season outlook: Flat Rock has nine boys on the roster for its third season of fielding a boys swimming team. Vaughn is coming off a strong fall club season and Stanislawski was the Monroe County Region Boys Cross Country Runner of the year.
Coach’s comments: “The potential is there for multiple state qualifiers and I'm looking forward to making it happen this year.”
MILAN
Coach: Dan Heikka, 19th year.
Returning state qualifiers: Seniors Sam Kennedy, Matthew Johnson, Elias Hobbs, Steven Gottardi; juniors Gunnar Kruise, Ben Heikka.
Other top performers: Senior Parker Prior; freshmen Tadas Zukovskis, Carter Smith.
Season outlook: Milan has eight experienced seniors who will be counted on to lead the youngsters.
Coach’s comments: “We will look to improve throughout the year, and see how we develop. I feel we have the chance to be competitive in most of our meets, and at the County and SMISL level.”
MONROE
Coach: Erin Dowen, third year.
Top performers: Senior Maxx Adams, Luke Lindsay; junior Reggie Geftos; sophomores Alec Adams, Josh Riggs.
Season outlook: Monroe has an interesting mix of experienced swimmers and boys who are trying the sport for the first time. The increased numbers will allow the Trojans to fill all the events
Coach’s comments: “I am really looking forward to having some depth on the team this year, and am happy to see so many new kids trying the sport.”
NEW BOSTON HURON-TAYLOR
Coach: Jason Snyder, first year.
Top performers: Seniors Griffin Hermanson, Michael Geiss; sophomores Drew Adkins, Mason Kendrick, Nolan Taylor; freshmen Brad Feldpaush, Lucas Menard, Jerod Snyder.
Season outlook: Huron is part of a co-op with Taylor. Home meets will be held at Taylor. The same thing happened during girls season with Snyder as the coach.
Coach’s comments: “We have some brand-new swimmers one some who haven’t been able to swim because we haven’t had a team the last few years. We just want everyone to work on improving.”
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Boys Swimming Previews: Looking at what's ahead in the pool
