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Iowa boys’ swimming 2018-19: Area teams, swimmers to watch
Mike Condon, correspondent
Nov. 19, 2018 6:45 pm
A look at Gazette area boys' swimming teams and swimmers to watch for the 2018-19 season.
Teams
Cedar Rapids Washington
Chris Cruise has coached the Warriors since 1998 and this year's edition should again be solid. Washington tied with Linn-Mar for 10th last year at state.
A pair of senior distance swimmers, Jeremy Throndson and Zach Kolker, along with senior sprinter Ethan Ford, should lead the way for Cruise this season. Washington lost state placewinners George Durin and Kaleb Donels to graduation and will have to rely on many young swimmers to fill the gaps.
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'We're always in a building mode around here,' Cruise said. 'This year, I think we'll benefit from having a number of kids who have been in the pool over the summer and into the fall. I think a lot of them have a really solid base.'
Iowa City High
The Little Hawks have one of the state's premier performers in junior All-American Forrest Frazier, who recently committed to swim collegiately at Cal. However, fifth-year coach Zane Hugo has some other top returners from last season's seventh-place state finisher.
Junior Louis Stephan was a top-eight finisher in two events and while sophomore Isaac Weigel made it to state in the distance freestyle events. Freshman Caleb Coons has been a strong club swimmer and will be expected to contribute on the medley relay team with Frazier and Stephan.
Iowa City West
Coach Byron Butler's team finished 13th at state last year and lost some talented swimmers, including Lane Griffis and Ben Berhow. The Trojans return juniors Izaak Hajek, who finished fourth in the 100 butterfly, and Michael Kimball, a state qualifier in the sprints. Senior Valeri Trussov also qualified for the state meet.
The Trojans also have an influx of talent coming in to bolster the roster.
'Iowa City West will be the team to beat (in the MVC),' said Linn-Mar Coach Tom Belin. 'They have a deep team with more talent coming into the program.'
Linn-Mar
Belin begins his 12th season with the Lions and has a young team after losing state place-winners Matt Peng and Brycen Snell to graduation from a team that tied for 10th at state with Cedar Rapids Washington.
Junior Nick Cavanah was state qualifier in two individual events and a pair of relays. Another junior, Alec Cochrane, swam on the 200 freestyle relay at state. Other returning letterwinners include senior Daniel Medin, along with sophomores Greg Gerst and Luke Richard.
A trio of talented freshmen, Aiden Carstensen, Cooper Callahan and Connor Olson, are expected to be big contributors for the Lions. '
We should have more depth this year in all events,' Belin said. 'The loss of Matt Peng and Brycen Snell requires our team to develop leadership both in and out of the pool.'
Swimmers
Nick Cavanah, jr. Linn-Mar — Finished 14th in 200 freestyle and 15th in 100 backstroke at state meet.
Forrest Frazier, jr. Iowa City High — Named outstanding swimmer at 2018 state meet after winning the 100-yard butterfly and the 100 breaststroke in a state-meet record time of 54.16 seconds.
Izaak Hajek, jr. Iowa City West — Finished fourth in 100 butterfly at state.
Zach Kolker, sr. Cedar Rapids Washington — Finished seventh in 500 freestyle at state meet.
Louis Stephan, jr. Iowa City High — Finished fourth in 100 breaststroke and seventh in 200 individual medley at state meet.
Jeremy Throndson, sr, Cedar Rapids Washington — Finished ninth in 500 freestyle and 16th in 200 freestyle at state meet.
Isaac Weigel, so, Iowa City High — Finished 11th in 500 freestyle at state meet.