The three area boys swimming teams may not be 2011 state contenders, but John Burroughs, MICDS and Ladue have their share of state qualifiers. The following is a preview of each school.
John Burroughs Bombers
Bombers Coach Leslie Kehr has more talent than in recent seasons. In fact, she has six swimmers who compete the year-round. That's what makes Kehr excited about the season.
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Juniors Bradley Riew, Adam Hotaling and Jay Prapaislip, sophomore Jack Blethroad and freshmen Tyler Waterman and Vaios Kouvelis swim all year long. Junior Robert Beckles and Riew are returning state qualifiers.
They were part of the 200-yard medley that placed 12th in a time of one minute, 41.93 seconds. Riew also finished 13th in the 100 breaststroke (1:02.40) in helping the Bombers finish in a 30-place tie with Webb City with 15 points in the 2010 Missouri State Championships.
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"This is the biggest team I've had who swim the year-round," said Kehr, entering her 27th season as coach. "I want to see them to keep it going. Swimming is their thing. They've gotten stronger and better."
Kehr also has competitors from the water polo squad in seniors Jacob Waterman, Jason Gusdorf and Andy Zhou and sophomores Kevin Steinhouse, Daniel Diemer and Nathan Hicks, who helped the Bombers compile a 20-6 record in 2011. "These guys, they're still swimmers," Kehr said.
Other key competitors will be seniors Justin Germeroth and Leo Bearman. "For me, my biggest job will be to figure out where to put everybody," Kehr said.
MICDS Rams
Rams Coach Kristen Kaiser says the squad is inexperienced this season. The Rams are coming off a 12th-place finish with 75 points at the 2010 state meet.
Only junior Lunsford Shock and sophomore Jack Finlay are returning state qualifiers. Shock was apart of two freestyle relay state medal teams - a fifth-place finish in the 200 (1:28.93) and a ninth-place finish in the 400 (3:16.91). Finlay placed 15th in the 100 backstroke (:56.03).
Finlay will compete in the 200 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 200 intermediate medley and 200 medley relay. Lunsford will compete in the freestyle relays.
Senior Drew Smith, junior Charles Cella and sophomore Tom Stupp will also be contributors. Smith will participate in the 100 breaststroke, 200 IM, 200 medley relay and 50 and 100 freestyle.
Sputt will participate in the 100 butterfly, 100 backstroke and 200 IM. Cella, who has missed time the past two years with wrist and finger injuries, is ready to compete in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle, 100 backstroke and 200 IM. "He's on target to do good things," Kaiser said.
Kaiser's fifth season may be her most inexperienced. "We're rebuilding," Kaiser said. "Our young kids will fill out the roster."
Ladue Rams
The Rams return several key swimmers in seniors Forrest Donnell and Carter Blase and junior Chris Beckmann. Donnell finished 14th in each of the 50 (:22.12) and 100 (:49.06) freestyle races at state in 2010. Blase was part of the 200 freestyle relay team (1:31.34) that placed 12th at the 2010 state meet.
"Our season looks good," Ladue Coach Corey Miller said. "We should have some great individual performances this year. We will send several individual swimmers to the state meet and most likely a couple of relays.
Since the number of swimmers we have this year is lower than the past several years, our younger swimmers are getting a chance to swim some events they may not have in past years. It will be interesting to see how they perform and improve over the season."