PREP BOYS SWIMMING: State talent returns to area schools looking to build in 2023-24

Nov. 16—With a sturdy core of returning swimmers getting set for the 2023-24 season, the added state experience from last season sees a talented bunch returning to The Goshen News area.

Concord welcomes back the likes of two juniors in Reid Sollars and Cole Stevenson who were part of the 200-yard medley relay team last season. While that team finished 24th and failed to move past prelims, its not the only area the two competed in.

Stevenson notably placed 11th in the boys 200-yard individual medley after placing 14th the year prior. In front of him was another returnee for the 2023-24 season in Sawyer Lehman.

Lehman, who placed 10th at the boys 200-yard individual medley last season, helps lead the talent returning to Northridge under second-year head coach Seth Cripe. The Raiders bring back 10 letterwinners and look like to continue the success Cripe tried installing his first year as coach.

Levi Moser returns for Goshen after just reaching past the prelims in last year's 200-yard freestyle, finishing 16th. The senior campaign for Moser will also be a chance for him to lead a 200-yard freestyle relay team after losing two members of the 2022-23 team which placed 16th.

NorthWood loses some of last year's top talent but return several names from last season. New head coach Brooke Rasler will be in charge of navigating the Panthers who hope to compete further into the season.

Eight upperclassmen return for Wawasee as the overall group sees depth return from last year's team that finished 6-2.

Varsity roster, coaching staffs and more on each area team can be found below.

CONCORD MINUTEMEN

Last season: 8-3 (7-0)

Head coach: Tom Johnson, 17th season (129-41-1 overall record)

Assistant coaches: Nicolle Corporon, Hayden Ludlow, Dave Rose, Jenna Lechlitner

Returning letterwinners: Wesley Bachman, Ivan Blystiv, Will Delio, Anthony Gomez Rojas, Alejandro Gonzalez, Joey Hauger, Nick Kustron, Zach McDonald, Alex Navarro, JanMarco Ordonez Romero, Reid Sollars, Camden Stutsman, Brady VanKirk

Other varsity players: Garec Combs, Logan Cook, Toby Huston, Santiago Pedroza Marmolejo

Word from coach: "Our men's team has some outstanding talent, but does not have much experience depth. We are looking for our new swimmers and divers to step up and put themselves in a position to contribute right away. We expect to face some tough challenges along the way, but we do expect that our team will show great improvement over the course of the season. For the first time in a number of years, our team is not the favorite in our conference or sectional meets, so we relish the challenge that presents."

GOSHEN REDHAWKS

Last season: 11-4 (4-3 NLC)

Head coach: Laura Rupp, 3nd season (20-8 overall record)

Assistant coaches: Katie Younghans, Rick Hetler

Returning letterwinners: Kael Bestul, Cooper Fish, Cade Gentry, Levi-George Miller, Levi Moser, Peter Moser, Crosby Poling Braun and Brady Wiese

Other varsity players: Gustavo Juarez

Word from coach: "One team goal for this season is dropping times. We are already showing progress by putting the work in everyday at practice and working together as a team to accomplish all our goals. We will represent the Goshen community with pride."

NORTHRIDGE RAIDERS

Last season: 7-7 (4-3 NLC)

Head coach: Seth Cripe, 2nd season (7-7 overall record)

Assistant coaches: Bob Burns, Marissa Gardner, Shelley LaLime, Hannah Estes, Caleb Cripe

Returning letterwinners: Jason Bauta, Jeremiah Bekhterev, Tim Blough, Gael Delgado, Drew Gleim, Evan Haney, Madox Hembree, Cole Hively, Sawyer Lehman, Deacon Smith

Other varsity players: Jysen Besser, Sam Canfield, Jacob Cripe, Emi Delgado, Mason DeWulf, Aiden Dickison, Liam Hallberg, David Miller, Aiden Neff, Carsyn Zentz

Word from coach: "This team is a very experienced team. With the addition of our freshman class and new upperclassmen the opportunities for this team can be very high. Hard work, sacrifice, and integrity will play a huge role in what this team accomplishes this year."

NORTHWOOD PANTHERS

Last season: 9-7 (2-5 NLC)

Head coach: Brooke Rasler, 1st season

Assistant coaches: Doug Berger, Mike Janzen, Morgan Conrad, Brooklyn Freeland, Caden Jenkins

Returning letterwinners: Aiden Boggs, Dillon Boggs, Julian Jansen, Bryce Knepp, Braxton Parvu-Timmer, Bryce Parvu-Timmer, Bryce Clark, Gavin Rider, Mark Sanots, Ty Stankovich, Mavox Tompos, Andrew Williams

Other varsity players: Wilson Gay, Brady Guard, Sebastian Lindstrom, Michele Colderone, Aimear Legaz Perez, Marco Mazzettee

Word from coach: "We lost a lot of valuable seniors last year, but still have a pretty good group of returners. Our goal this year is to continue to improve on our times, develop our new swimmers, and just continue to strive to be better than we were at the start of the season or even last year. We have a good amount of swimmers putting in a lot of hard work so far, and we are optimistic on how they will continue to improve throughout the season."

WAWASEE WARRIORS

Last season: 6-2 (5-2 NLC)

Head coach: Jason Scott, 5th season (overall record not provided)

Assistant coaches: Ryan Harper, Dawn Yoder, Hayden Neer

Returning letterwinners: Cade Garden (Sr), Nathan Harper (Sr), William Long (Sr), Colin Compton (Jr), Luke Kompagne (Jr), Ivan Meier (Jr), Dakota Nguyen (Jr), Isaac Winters (Jr), Coltin Bucher (So), Zachary Kryder (So), Noah Mettham (So), Senate Shaw

Other varsity players: Ryan Menzie (Sr), Wyatt Bucher (Fr), Josiah Jones (Fr), Zane Likens (Fr) John Carlos Miretti (Fr), Layclan Saylor (Fr)

Word from coach: "Should be a great year. Kids are working hard and learning fast."

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This is a part of The Goshen News' 2023 Winter Sports Preview. You can find similar previews on other winter sports here.

Reach Matt Lucas at 574-533-2151, ext. 240325, or at matt.lucas@goshennews.com.