By Becky Walz,
The Decorah boys swim team showcased its depth in the pool Saturday during the North Central Swim Conference in Boone.
Although Decorah finished second behind Boone in the team standings, the Vikes were the only team to put two relays in the top six overall. With many swimmers finishing their season at the conference meet, coach Loran Storts noted numerous personal records and time drops with six of the eight individual’s seeing three swimmers in the top 10 overall.
Setting the stage for the day was the 200 medley relay quartet of Max Grimstad, Landon Humpal, Weston Cote and Ian Giddings who took silver in 1:47.52.
Cote came back strong later in the meet to add a runner-up finish in the 100 butterfly as he posted a time of 58.22 seconds.
Reid Kuehner posted a time of 2:14.55 in the 200 individual medley to claim bronze, while Humpal took third in the 100 breaststroke in 1:05.58.
Wrapping up the day with a bronze was the 400 freestyle relay. The quartet of Burns, Kuehner, Grimstad and Humpal combined for a time of 3:33.21.
“We had the most Academic All-Conference swimmers in the conference as well,” said coach Storts. “Not only are we fast in the water, but we are also great in the classroom.”
Vikings recognized for their academic achievements included Oliver Bollinger, Oliver Brummel, Davis Coppola, Aitor Cuevas, Phuong Doan, Dalton Ellickson, Ian Giddings, Max Grimstad, Thomas Hammel, Landyn Hook, Reid Kuehner, Andrew Olson, Kyle Pattison, Will Robinson, Ashton Saltou, Garrett See, Jack Sovern, Mitchell Stemper and Grant Zilka.
The big push
The 2025 district meet is set for noon on Saturday, Feb. 8, with Decorah competing in Mason City. The Vikings will be vying for an opportunity to compete at state along with the hosts, Bishop Garrigan, Cedar Falls, Dowling Catholic, Fort Dodge, Southeast Polk and Spencer.
The fastest 32 individual swimmers and 24 relay teams from district competition will qualify for state competition. The state meet is currently scheduled for Feb. 14-15 at the University of Iowa’s Campus Recreation & Wellness Center in Iowa City.
North Central Swim Conference team scores
1. Boone 543; 2. Decorah 432; 3. Newton-Colfax-Mingo-Pella 380; 4. Grinnell 249; 5. Oskaloosa 216; 6. Williamsburg 152; 7 Vinton-Shellsburg 77
Varsity race results
200 medley relay – 2. Max Grimstad, Landon Humpal, Weston Cote, Ian Giddings, 1:47.52; 6. Keaton Vobr, Will Robinson, Kyle Pattison, Grant Zilka, 1:53.70; 10. Ethan Casper, Andrew Olson, Eli Sassaman, Landyn Hook, 2:01.40
200 free – 5. Dane Burns 2:03.49; 8. Tommy Hammel 2:13.35; 9. Dalton Ellickson 2:14.86
200 IM – 3. Reid Kuehner 2:14.55; 5. Ethan Swizdor 2:17.12; 7. Jordan Snitker 2:23.64
50 free – 9. Giddings 24.56; 12. Cote 24.77; 16. Ashton Saltou 26.14; 18. Hook 26.44; 20. Casper 26.51; 26. Oliver Bollinger 27.75; 27. Oliver Brummel 27.92; 29. Olson 28.07; 33. Aitor Cuevas 28.45; 35. Jack Sovern 28.71; 36. Oak Pasche 29.11; 37. Sassaman 29.47; 38. Esteban Fernandez 29.59; 46. Gavin Wilkins 32.07; 49. Garrett Willie 33.17
100 fly – 2. Cote 58.22; 4. Burns 59.62; 9. Pattison 1:03.13
100 free – 7. Kuehner 52.94; 8. Grimstad 53.99; 12. Hook 58.58; 14. Kyan Oftedahl 59.38; 15. Ellickson 1:00.39; 17. Zilka 1:00.60; 19. Saltou 1:01.15; 27. Casper 1:02.54; 29. Bollinger 1:03.22; 32. Pasche 1:06.05; 33. Brummel 1:06.07; 34. Sassaman 1:06.75; 37. Cuevas 1:07.87; 38. Fernandez 1:08.76; 44. Wilkins 1:11.29; 46. Sovern 1:11.91; 48. Willie 1:15.60
500 free – 5. Humpal 5:37.22; 8. Snitker 5:56.88; 10. Hammel 6:06.36
200 free relay – 4. Kuehner, Burns, Cote, Giddings, 1:34.79; 5. Robinson, Pattison, Vobr, Swizdor, 1:39.61; 11. Zilka, Oftedahl, Sovern, Saltou, 1:51.02
100 back – 6. Swizdor 1:02.32; 7. Grimstad 1:03.11; 15. Vobr 1:27.44
100 breast – 3. Humpal 1:05.58; 7. Robinson 1:08.96; 9. Olson 1:14.42
400 free relay – 3. Burns, Kuehner, Grimstad, Humpal 3:33.21; 6. Giddings, Swizdor, Vobr, Robinson, 3:46.20; 11. Zilka, Oftedahl, Ellickson, Casper, 4:08.91
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