Panthers Win State Swimming Championship
Wetzel Wins Butterfly Title
The Lakeville North Boys Swim and Dive Team won the Minnesota State Championship at the U of M Aquatic Center last Saturday. Leading by 7 points going into the final relay event, the Panthers set a new school record to cement the victory with 249 points to 234 for 2nd place Eden Prairie. This is their first swimming title since 1982 and a fitting conclusion for the 9 seniors, many who have been competing together for 10 years. Lakeville was 2nd last year and 3rd the year before.
Senior captain Mark Wetzel captured the 100 yard butterfly title with a time of 50.05, an All-American time and setting a new Lakeville school record established 20 years ago. He lead from the start and pulled away in the final 25 yards. Wetzel also swam in the 50 yard freestyle finishing a close 2nd in 20.56, just “5 hundredths” of a second behind the winner. That time was also an All-American time and the 3rd fastest in State history setting another Lakeville school record.
Senior Alex Hill finished with a strong final lap in the 500 yard freestyle to place 2nd in 4:36.71 an All-American time and establishing another new school record. Hill also finished 3rd in the 200 yard freestyle with an All-American time of 1:42.34.
Senior Captain Sam Dalsin, the defending champion in diving had a strong finish placing 3rd in the event with 366.35 points, just 8 points out of the lead.
Senior Captain Jon Menozzi finished 5th in the 500 yard freestyle with a time of 4:43.23 and was 6th in the 200 freestyle in 1:43.20. Junior Maverick Edberg was 5th in the 100 yard butterfly with a time of 52.24 and 10th in the 200 yard individual medley in 2:00.80.
Senior Eric Burns was 7th in the 100 yard backstroke in 55.05 and senior Scott Proudfoot was 16th in the 50 yard freestyle in 22.74.
The Panther free relay teams were a key factor in the team’s victory. The 200 yard freestyle relay with Wetzel, Proudfoot, Menozzi and Hill won for the 2nd straight year with a school record and All-American time of 1:25.60. The 400 yard freestyle relay team of Hill, Menozzi, Burns and Wetzel also won in a school record and All-American time of 3:09.74. The 200 medley relay with Burns, Proudfoot, Edberg and Senior Captain Collin Smith finished 8th in 1:40.27.
The meet was close and very exciting the entire way. The Panthers took the lead for good after the 8th event (500 free) and closed the door with solid wins in the last two relays. It was a great season with the squad going undefeated in dual meets and winning every invitational meet, True Team, and now the State Title.
Panther Swimmers Win Section One - Prepare for State Run
The Lakeville North boys swim and dive team easily won the Section One AA meet in Rochester by winning 7 of the 12 events and placing 7 swimmers (13 events), 2 divers and all 3 relays into the State meet. The final tally was Lakeville 521.5, Rochester Century 355, Farmington 312, Winona 216, followed by Hastings, Owatonna, John Marshall and Mayo.
The Panthers were lead by Mark Wetzel who won the 50 freestyle in 21.07 and the 100 yard butterfly in 51.87, with both times the fastest in the State this year. The 50 free time broke a 20 year old section record set by Bill Asmus (also of Lakeville) back in 1986. This also established a new Lakeville school record in the event.
Alex Hill won the 500 yard freestyle in 4:44.49 and was a close 2nd in the 200 freestyle in 1:42.83. Eric Burns won the 100 yard freestyle in 49.67 and was 2nd in the 100 yard backstroke in 55.13. Jon Menozzi was 2nd in the 500 freestyle with 4:48.21 and 3rd in the 200 freestyle in 1:45.68. Maverick Edberg tied for 2nd in the 200 individual medley with 2:00.17 and was 3rd in the 100 butterfly in 52.46. Scott Proudfoot finished 3rd in the 50 freestyle in 22.11 and 5th in the butterfly in 54.82. Collin Smith was 2nd in the 100 freestyle in 49.98. All of the above swimmers qualified for the State meet.
Sam Dalsin won the diving event with 379.95 points and Rob Clatterbuck was 3rd with 306.40, both qualifying for the State meet. In the relays, the 200 freestyle won in 1:28.10 with Wetzel, Proudfoot, Menozzi and Hill and the 400 freestyle also won in 3:16.50 with Wetzel, Menozzi, Hill and Burns. The 200 medley relay finished a close 2nd in 1:39.92 with Burns, Proudfoot, Edberg and Smith qualifying for the State meet.
The Panthers placed more individual events in the State meet than any other school. They also have the fastest 200 and 400 freestyle relay times in the State this year making them the team to beat.
Also scoring in the meet were Alex Mullikin 3rd in the 100 freestyle (50.48) and 6th in the backstroke (58.58), Scott Mitchell 5th in the 200 freestyle (1:49.99) and 5th in the 500 freestyle (5:02.36), Matt Mitchell 8th in the butterfly (55.94) and 9th in the 200 IM (2:06.26), Erick Sood 8th in the breaststroke (1:06.96) and 10th in the 200 IM (2:13.51), Dan Kula 7th in the 500 free (5:12.04) and 13th in the 200 free(1:55.85), Matt McCann 11th in the 200 IM (2:14.25) and 11th in the breaststroke (1:08.28), Stephen Rydberg 12th in the backstroke (1:01.91), Jared Martin 14th in the 100 freestyle (52.22), Austin Akervik 15th in the backstroke (1:03.09) and Robert Wulff 16th in the breaststroke (1:10.51).
Lakeville Swimmers complete Undefeated Season
2/10/06
With a victory over Chaska, the Lakeville boys swim and dive team completed their first undefeated regular season in the schools history. They have won every dual meet and every invitational meet including the tough Maroon & Gold Invitational and True Team State. They will take their #1 State ranking into the upcoming Section and State Meets.
The Panthers victory over Chaska was led by senior Alex Hill who set a new Kenwood Pool record in the 500 freestyle winning with a time of 4:44.09. He will be one of the favorites in this event at the State Meet in March. Erik Sood finished 4th and Stephen Rydberg was 5th. In the 200 freestyle Austin Akervik finished 2nd in 1:59.78 and Gray Parson was 5th. The 200 individual medley was won by Alex Mullikin in 2:14.28 with Dan Kula 2nd (2:22.25) and Rydberg 3rd (2:24.76).
The 50 freestyle was also a clean sweep led by Eric Burns who won in 22.92. Jared Martin was 2nd (24.97) and Dan Newman 3rd (25.27). Sam Dalsin won the diving event with a score of 226.60 with Mitch Nord 3rd (203.75) and Rob Clatterbuck 5th. The next event was the 100 butterfly which was won by Scott Proudfoot in 57.38. Robert Wulff was 5th.
The 100 yard freestyle was won by Collin Smith in 54.35 and Scott Mitchell place 3rd (54.59) and Matt Mitchell 5th (55.94). In the 100 backstroke Matt Mitchell won with a time of 1:01.72. Parson was 4th and Smith 5th. The 100 breaststroke was won by Burns in 1:08.60 followed by Mullikin (1:09.18) and Matt Kleinhaus (1:11.96).
The Panthers won all three relays as well. The 200 medley had Maverick Edberg, Hill, Proudfoot and Burns winning in 1:44.73. The 200 freestyle relay had Akervik, Martin, Kula and Scott Mitchell winning in 1:40.84, and the 400 yard freestyle relay featured Hill, Proudfoot, Smith and Scott Mitchell winning in 3:34.06.
The team will now split for sections with Lakeville North swimming in Rochester February 22nd and 24th, and Lakeville South at Inver Grove Heights on the 23rd and 25th. The North squad with a very strong senior class will make a run for their first Class AA State Championship in 24 years.
Panther Swimmers Clinch Lake Conference Title
2/3/06
The Lakeville Boys Swim and Dive team clinched their 2nd straight Lake Conference title with an easy 90 – 69 victory over Apple Valley. With one meet remaining on Friday, they are undefeated in dual meets and 5-0 in invitational meets including the True Team State Title. They continue with their #1 State ranking.
Lakeville’s victory over Apple Valley was lead by diver Sam Dalsin who had a lifetime best score of 268.90 in winning the diving event. He is aiming toward a defense of his state title in March. Mitch Nord finished 3rd in the event.
Eric Sood won the 200 freestyle in 2:04.48 followed by Stephen Rydberg in 2nd (2:06.56) and Robert Wulff 3rd (2:07.48). Mark Wetzel won the 200 Individual Medley in 2:01.90 with Andy Bangsund 3rd and Gray Parsons 4th. Eric Burns won the 50 freestyle in 22.79 with Jared Martin 3rd (24.78). In the 100 butterfly Scott Proudfoot was the winner in 56.77 with Sood 4th (1:01.29).
Burns came back to win the 100 freestyle in 49.95 followed by Alex Mullikin in 2nd (52.94) and Bangsund 3rd (56.70). In the 500 freestyle Scott Mitchell won in 5:21.00 with Matt McCann 2nd (5:49.45) and Luke Parsons 3rd. The 100 backstroke had Mullikin 3rd (1:01.20) and Austin Akervik 4th. In the 100 breaststroke Matt Mitchell won in 1:11.15 and Matt Kleinhaus was 2nd in 1:11.85.
Lakeville finished 1st and 2nd in all three relays. The medley relay winners were Burns, Jon Menozzi, Matt Mitchell and Alex Hill in 1:44.52. The 200 free relay had Hill, Collin Smith, Burns and Wetzel finish in 1:31.65. The 400 free relay winners were Menozzi, Mullikin, Smith and Hill in 3:26.07.
The Lakeville swimmers finish the dual meet season on Friday at home against Chaska. Section Meets take place starting February 22.
Lakeville Swimmers Defend True Team Championship
1/20/06
The Lakeville boys swim and dive team led from the first event and dominated throughout the meet to win their second straight True Team State Championship. The unique scoring in this meet rewards team depth rather than winning events, and there are four entries that score points for each team in every race (total of 40 places). The Panther/Cougar team finished with 1773.5 points followed by Eden Prairie with 1557, Burnsville (1439), Mounds View (1325.5), Edina (1310), Wayzata and Rosemount.
Lakeville had one individual winner with Mark Wetzel in the 100 yard butterfly swimming a new meet record time of 52.47, just ahead of teammate Maverick Edberg who was second in 53.38. Wetzel was also 2nd in the 200 individual medley in 1:58.35. Eric Burns finished 2nd in the 100 backstroke in 55.49 followed by Edberg 5th in 57.28. Burns was also 4th in the 100 yard freestyle in 49.57.
Alex Hill finished 3rd in the 200 freestyle in 1:45.96 followed closely by teammate Jon Menozzi 4th in 1:46.31. Hill also was 4th in the 500 in 4:44.59 again followed by Menozzi 5th in 4:48.27. Scott Proudfoot was 4th in the 50 yard freestyle with 22.85 and 6th in the 100 breaststroke with 1:04.20. Sam Dalsin led the diving team with a 2nd place finish (230.15 points), followed by Rob Clatterbuck in 5th (157.30 points) and Mitch Nord 6th (156.60).
The relays were the strong suite for the Panthers and Cougars as they won two and placed all their teams high in all three events. The team of Wetzel, Proudfoot, Menozzi and Hill won the 200 yard freestyle relay in 1:27.65 a new meet record. The 400 freestyle relay team of Wetzel, Burns, Menozzi and Hill also won in a new meet record time of 3:14.21. The team of Alex Mullikin, Collin Smith, Jared Martin and Edberg finished 5th in the 400 free relay. In the 200 medley relay Lakeville finished a strong 2nd in 1:41.26 with Burns, Proudfoot, Edberg and Smith.
Scott Mitchell finished 10th in the 200 freestyle (1:52.99) and 11th in the 500 freestyle (5:14.67) both lifetime best swims. Matt Mitchell was 10th in both the 200 IM (2:09.82) and 100 yard butterfly (57.55). Smith was 10th in the 100 freestyle (51.20) and 15th in the 50 free (23.87). Mullikin was 11th in the 50 freestyle (23.75) and 14th in the 100 free (52.01). Dan Kula finished 13th in the 500 freestyle (5:17.36) and 18th in the 200 freestyle (1:58.01). Eric Sood was 16th in the 100 butterfly (1:00.64) and Jared Martin was 16th in the 100 freestyle (52.56)
Coach Dan Schneider commented “many swimmers had season best times, and everyone had an excellent meet. Especially strong were some of the younger swimmers who really showed us what they can do, including Scott and Matt Mitchell, Kula, Sood, Martin, Dan Newman, Austin Akervik, Matt McCann and others.”
The #1 Lakeville team remains undefeated in the Lake Conference and has won all four of its invitational meets on the year. They swim at Jefferson on Friday Jan. 27th.
Lakeville Swim and Dive Team Wins True Team Section
1/14/06
The Lakeville boys swim and dive team is set to defend their title at the True Team State Meet this weekend with an easy win last Saturday in Section One at the Kenwood Trail pool. They finished with 596.5 points followed by Farmington with 387.5 and Owatonna at 296. The team is strong up front and very deep, and is in excellent shape to defend their title.
They opened the meet with a 1-2 finish in the medley relay. The winning team of Eric Burns, Alex Hill, Maverick Edberg and Mark Wetzel swam away from the field in 1:39.35. In the 200 freestyle Jon Menozzi was an easy winner in 1:47.87 with Scott Mitchell 3rd (1:57.34), Dan Kula 5th and Gray Parson 8th. Next was the 200 individual medley which Hill won in 2:02.81 with Dan Newman 4th, Matt McCann 5th and Eric Sood 6th. In the 50 yard freestyle Wetzel won in 22.37 with Burns 2nd in 23.07, Alex Mullikin 5th and Collin Smith 6th.
The diving event consisted of 11 dives and Sam Dalsin finished 2nd with 334 points, Mitch Nord 3rd (285 points), Rob Clatterbuck 5th and Alex Nord 8th. In the 100 yard butterfly Edberg won in 54.48 with Matt Mitchell 2nd in 59.18, Jared Martin 4th and Eric Sood 5th. In the 100 freestyle the Panther/Cougar team had a 1-2-3 finish with Burns winning in 50.67, Scott Proudfoot 2nd in 51.14, Mullikin 3rd in 52.50 and Austin Akervik 7th. The 500 freestyle also featured a 1-2-3 finish with Menozzi winning in 4:52.55, Kula 2nd (5:21.36), Matt Mitchell 3rd (5:25.28) and Stephen Rydberg 6th.
In the 200 yard freestyle relay Lakeville’s team of Proudfoot, Hill, Mullikin and Menozzi won in 1:32.38. The 100 backstroke was won by Wetzel in 56.64 followed by Edberg 2nd in 57.94, Smith in 5th and Scott Mitchell 6th. Hill won again in the 100 breaststroke with 1:03.72, Matt Kleinhaus was 5th, Newman 6th and McCann 7th. The final event was the 400 yard freestyle relay which had another 1-2 finish for the Panther/Cougar team. The winning time was 3:22.71 for Menozzi, Burns, Edberg and Wetzel.
The True Team State Meet is on Friday night at the University of Minnesota Aquatics Center starting at 6:00pm. #1 ranked Lakeville is the team to beat!
Lakeville Swimmers Dominate at Maroon and Gold
01/07/05
Wetzel, Hill and Dalsin win events
The Lakeville boys swim and dive team easily won the tough Gold Division of the Maroon and Gold Invitational held at the University of Minnesota Aquatics Center. Most of the states top ranked teams attended, but they were no match for the #1 Panther/Cougar team. They finished with 778 points followed by Eden Prairie (644), Minnetonka (583), Wayzata (532), Edina (499.5), Stillwater (455), Maple Grove (409), Woodbury, Grand Rapids, Eau Claire and Cretin-Durham Hall. This is the first time Lakeville has ever won this Invitational.
Mark Wetzel won the 100 yard butterfly in 52.03 and was second in the 50 freestyle with a fast 21.41, both season best times. Alex Hill won the 200 yard freestyle in 1:46.48 and was 2nd in the 500 yard freestyle in 4:46.04, also both season bests.
Sam Dalsin won the diving with 217 points and led a 1-2-4 finish for Lakeville. Mitch Nord was 2nd with 202 points and Rob Clatterbuck 4th with 165 points.
Eric Burns finished a close 2nd in the 100 backstroke with 54.92 and was 5th in the 100 freestyle in 49.14. Jon Menozzi came in 3rd in the 500 freestyle with 4:48.63 and 4th in the 200 individual medley with 1:59.67. Maverick Edberg finished 3rd in the butterfly with 53.00 and 8th in the 200 IM with 2:0436. Scott Proudfoot finished 7th in the 50 yard freestyle with 22.59 and 10th in the 100 breaststroke with 1:03.51.
The Lakeville relay teams also dominated in 2 of the 3 races. In the 200 freestyle relay Wetzel, Proudfoot, Menozzi and Hill won in 1:27.21, the fastest time in the State this year. In the 400 freestyle relay, Hill, Menozzi, Wetzel and Burns won in 3:14.49 just missing the meet record. The 200 medley relay finished a strong 3rd in 1:41.84 with Burns, Proudfoot, Edberg and Collin Smith.
Other strong finishers included Alex Mullikin 10th in the 100 freestyle (51.33) and 13th in the backstroke (1:00.06), Smith 16th in the 100 freestyle (52.20) and 17th in the 50 free (23.90), Scott Mitchell 13th in the 200 freestyle (1:56.91) and 19th in the 500 freestyle (5:22.96), Dan Kula 16th in the 200 freestyle (1:59.20) and 18th in the backstroke (1:02.98) and Matt Mitchell 17th in the 200 IM (2:10.21).
Coach Dan Schneider commented that the team stepped-up in every event swimming some of the best times of the season. “It is quite an accomplishment to win this meet.” Next up is the True Team Section Meet which will be held at Kenwood Trail Middle School on Saturday the 14th.
Lakeville Boys Win Apple Valley Invite
12/30/05
The Lakeville boys swim and dive team easily won the Apple Valley Invitational for the 4th consecutive time with 1336 points outscoring Stillwater (1087), Edina (1015), Maple Grove (938), Cretin Durham Hall and Apple Valley. This meet rewards team depth, which Lakeville has plenty of. There are 4 entries in each event including relays, and all score points. The Panther/Cougar boys maintain there #1 State ranking.
Lakeville opened strong finishing 2-9-11-12 in the medley relay. The “A” team consisted of Eric Burns, Maverick Edberg, Scott Proudfoot and Collin Smith going 1:42.86. In the 200 freestyle they dominated with Alex Hill 2nd (1:46.92) Jon Menozzi 3rd (1:47.77) Dan Kula 9th (2:00.86) and Austin Akervik 11th. Next in the 200 yard individual medley Edberg was 3rd (2:05.32), Matt Mitchell 8th (2:14.12), Dan Newman 10th (2:18.98) and Stephen Rydberg 13th. The 50 yard freestyle was the overall best event for Lakeville with Mark Wetzel winning in 22.31, Proudfoot 2nd (22.91), Collin Smith 5th (24.17) and Alex Mullikin 6th (24.52).
Diving continues to be a strength for the team with Sam Dalsin winning (321 points), Mitch Nord coming in 2nd (305 points), Rob Clatterbuck 4th (278 points) and Alex Nord in 9th (208 points). In the 100 butterfly Edberg was a very close 2nd in 53.51, with Mitchell 8th (58.65), Jared Martin 13th and Luke Parson 17th. The 100 freestyle was another strong finish with Wetzel winning again in 49.25 followed by Burns 2nd in 49.65, Smith 5th (53.31) and Akervik 8th (55.84). The 500 yard freestyle was a battle the entire way with Menozzi winning in 4:48.44 and Hill 2nd in 4:51.48. Andy Bangsund was 12th and Rydberg 14th.
The 200 yard freestyle relay was another victory with a quick time of 1:29.75 featuring Wetzel, Proudfoot, Menozzi and Hill. The other Lakeville entries were also 7-11-13. Next in the 100 backstroke Eric Burns won in 55.14 with Mullikin 8th (1:01.30), Kula 12th and Gray Parson 18th. The 100 breaststroke had Proudfoot 8th (1:05.71), Dan Newman 11th, Matt McCann 12th and Matt Kleinhaus 14th. In the final event the Panther/Cougar teams were again strong finishing 1st, 6th, 11th, and 15th. The winning team had Hill, Menozzi, Edberg and Wetzel finishing in a season best time of 3:17.41. Overall it was a strong meet which had many of the swimmers turning in season best times. Next up is a dual meet at Eagan on Friday and then the Maroon and Gold Invitational next Saturday at the University of Minnesota.
Lakeville Boys Swim Past Burnsville
12/22/05
In a key Lake Conference match-up the Lakeville Boys Swim and Dive Team easily outdistanced the Burnsville Blaze 98 – 80. The Panther/Cougar Team has taken a commanding lead in the Lake Conference with wins over their top two challengers and now stand at 3-0 (4-0 overall). They currently hold the #1 ranking in the state.
They opened the meet winning the 200 medley relay in 1:41.34 with Eric Burns, Scott Proudfoot, Jon Menozzi and Mark Wetzel. Alex Hill won the 200 yard freestyle in 1:47.84. In the 200 yard Individual Medley Menozzi won in 2:00.50 and was followed by Maverick Edberg in 2nd at 2:06.37. The 50 free was next with Wetzel winning in 22.40 and Burns 3rd in 23.09.
Burnsville has no diving, but the Lakeville trio of Mitch Nord (207 points) Rob Clatterbuck (202 points) and Alex Nord (144 points) had some excellent dives. The Lakeville divers have dominated every meet so far this year.
The next swimming event was the 100 yard butterfly which was won by Menozzi again with a time of 54:14 followed by Edberg in 2nd at 54.37. The 100 yard freestyle had Wetzel in front with a time of 49.48 and Proudfoot in 3rd at 51.97. In the 500 freestyle Hill easily won in 4:49.28 with Erick Sood in 3rd at 5:22.90. Lakeville next won the 200 freestyle relay in 1:33.25 with Proudfoot, Edberg, Collin Smith and Hill.
Eric Burns won the 100 yard backstroke in 56.42 and Proudfoot was a close 2nd in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:06.26. In the final event, Lakeville easily won the 400 freestyle relay pulling away in 3:20.03 with Hill Menozzi, Burns and Wetzel.
Next up for the Panthers and Cougars will be the Apple Valley Invitational on Friday Dec. 30 at 5pm at the Valley Middle School in Apple Valley. They are the 3 time defending champion at this event.
Lakeville Swimmers Dominate #1 EP
12/17/05
The 2nd ranked Lakeville Boys Swim and Dive Team took care of business against #1 Eden Prairie at their home pool 98 – 85 last Friday night. Lakeville lead from the opening event and built a commanding lead halfway through the meet. According to Coach Dan Schneider “superior depth and strong performances in key events was the key to victory.” The Panther/Cougar team will take over the #1 state ranking next week.
In the opening medley relay, the team of Eric Burns, Maverick Edberg, Alex Hill and Mark Wetzel broke EP’s pool record in winning with a very fast time of 1:39.14. This surprised the Eagles and immediately gave Lakeville the momentum. In the 200 freestyle Hill finished 2nd in 1:48.92 with Wetzel in 4th. The 200 Individual Medley was exceptionally strong with Jon Menozzi winning in 2:00.86, Edberg finishing 3rd in 2:03.68 and Matt Mitchell in 4th. The 50 freestyle had Scott Proudfoot in 2nd (22.66), Alex Mullikin 3rd (23.71) and Collin Smith 4th (23.79).
The Diving squad had a clean sweep with defending state champion Sam Dalsin winning (232 points), Mitch Nord 2nd (202 points) and Rob Clatterbuck 3rd (150 points). In the next swimming event, the 100 butterfly, Edberg won in 54.31 and Wetzel was 3rd in 54.65. The 100 freestyle had Burns in 2nd (49.75) and Mullikin 4th (52.14). In the 500 yard freestyle Menozzi was 2nd in 4:50.93 and Matt Mitchell 3rd in 5:22.10.
The 200 freestyle relay was a very close race with EP edging out the team of Proudfoot, Edberg, Mullikin and Menozzi who took 2nd in 1:30.92. In the 100 backstroke Burns won in 56.25 in a close finish. Lakeville surprised EP in the 100 breaststroke finishing 1-2 with Hill in 1:02.32 and Proudfoot in 1:04.92, securing the victory. In the final event, the 400 yard freestyle relay had Menozzi, Edberg, Wetzel and Hill winning in 3:20.71.
The Panther/Cougar depth came through in all events, especially the relays, as the B team finished a strong 3rd in all three picking up valuable points. Many of the young swimmers really stepped up. This was a big win for the team on their way to defending the Lake Conference title. The next meet is against Burnsville on the 22nd.
Lakeville Swimmers Cruise Past Kennedy in Opener
12/9/05
The Lakeville Boys Swim and Dive Team opened its defense of the Lake Conference Title with an easy 95 – 76 victory over Bloomington Kennedy. The North Panthers and South Cougars are swimming together during the dual meet season this year and will try to repeat as conference champions. They were undefeated in dual meets last year, and ended up a strong second at the State Championship. The team returns all State participants except one and should make a strong run this year.
The meet opened with a victory in the 200 yard medley relay featuring Jon Menozzi, Alex Hill, Jared Martin and Austin Akervik. In the 200 freestyle Maverick Edberg was 2nd in 1:54.13 followed by Dan Kula. The 200 yard individual medley was won by Hill with an excellent early season time of 2:02.33 with Matt Mitchell following in 2nd. The 50 yard freestyle had Menozzi taking 1st in 23.19 with Martin in 3rd followed by Dan Newman.
Diving was a clean sweep with Mitch Nord winning (192 points) followed by last years State Champion Sam Dalsin (177 points) and Rob Clatterbuck in 3rd (162 points). Nord had some excellent dives for this opening meet. The 100 yard butterfly was won by Erick Sood with Martin in 2nd and Akervik in 4th. Next was the 100 yard freestyle event which featured a fast 49.92 by Hill with Scott Proudfoot in 2nd (51.77) and Scott Mitchell in 4th. The 500 free had Stephen Rydberg in 2nd, Alex Mullikin 3rd and Gray Parson 4th.
The following event was the 200 yard freestyle relay which was dominated by the Panthers and Cougars finishing in the top 3 spots, with Edberg, Proudfoot, Hill and Andy Bangsund on the winning team. The 100 yard backstroke was won by Menozzi in a strong 56.44 with Scott Mitchell and Kula finishing 3rd and 4th. Matt Mitchell won the 100 yard breaststroke in 1:10.83 followed by Matt McCann and Sood. The final event of the night was the 400 free relay which was easily won by Lakeville with Edberg, Mullikin, Proudfoot and Menozzi.
Lakeville faces Eden Prairie on Friday in what will be a very exciting meet and give the winner an early lead I the Lake Conference.