by Blake Krantz
Six Tigers from boys’ swim, 3-4, competed in the All-State meet Feb. 22, with two placing in the 100 meter breast. Junior Bowen He finished 20th at 1:05:94, and freshman Will Riley finished 34th at 1:07:38. Although these were not high placings, they were both “good times” according to senior Eric Alexy, co-captains with junior Benjamin Cole.
In addition to Bowen and Riley, freshman Joey Yerardi swam in the 500 freestyle, Alexy, sophomore Josh Sims Speyer, Yerardi, and freshman John Laukitas swam in the 200 free relay, and Alexy, He, Sims Speyer, and Yerardi swam in the 200 medley relay, doing freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly, and backstroke, respectively.
To qualify for the All-State meet, swimmers had to reach qualifying times set at the beginning of the year, and Alexy said that “it is pretty tough to qualify” for the All-State meet.
The Tigers only had one swimmer qualify last year, in comparison to six this season, and according to Cole, the “increase strongly reflects the distance” that they “have come as a team.”
Alexy also said that the Tigers “have a pretty bright future with a bunch of talented sophomores and freshmen.” Three of the Tigers’ six swimmers in All-States were freshman, swimmers who are likely to continue to contribute in future years.