Bloomington area boys' swim: Strong returners in Kovacs, Paegle and Stewart
Last year's boys' swimming season conclusion was exciting for both Bloomington North and South, who showcased three of the best freshmen in the state. South's David Kovacs and Lukas Paegle and North's Jay Stewart broke records and won state medals. They are looking for even bigger things this year.
Here's how things look for Monroe County's three squads with the season just getting underway:
Bloomington North
LAST YEAR: Sectional champion, 11th at state (49 points)
TOP RETURNERS: Ben Buehler, Jr. (IM, 100 free), Ben Dixon, Jr. (sprint frees), Jay Stewart, So. (fly, back), Hunter Tang, Jr. (breast), Jack Steiner, Sr. (sprint frees, fly), Luis Brown, Sr. (fly), Ty Mayer, So. (distance frees), Paul Murphy, Jr. (distance frees), Max Miller, Sr. (diving), Teagan Hojem, Jr. (diving).
OUTLOOK: Several key pieces are back from last year’s record-setting state squad, led by sophomore Jay Stewart. All he did in his first year was break the school record in the backstroke and finish 14th at state and was also 12th in the 100 butterfly. He, along with Buehler and Dixon, also return from a 400 free relay team that finished seventh at state and broke the school record. Buehler looks even tougher after top-four finishes at sectional in the IM and 100 free. Dixon will take on a bigger role in the sprints and relays. Steiner is back in the fly and 50 free and will be key for two relays. Tang was a sectional runner-up in the breast. Murphy could add 100 fly to his event list and will help in the distance events again. Mayer (500 free) and Luke Miller (IM) will be looking to follow up on strong freshman seasons. Senior Leo Wang will give the Cougars strong depth in the IM and 500. Diving has a solid 1-2 punch in Miller, sectional champ and 18th place finisher at state, and Hojem.
“That continuation of top talent is a big benefit this season,” head coach Max Irwin said. “A few years ago, we hadn’t sent anyone to the state meet and when we finally got there the guys were kind of like deer caught in the headlights, shocked by the fast swimming they saw and the sheer enormity of the IU Natatorium and the whole meet. Now, though, the guys have been going for a few years and those who go as alternates get that inside look at the meet, meaning that they’re better prepared for the next year.” Looking to step up this year, Irwin said, are seniors Charlie Weida (100-200 frees) and Walter Harvey (breast, 50 free). Top newcomers include an unusual situation in the Madiera triplets. Ty (sprint frees, fly), Jacen (IM, distance, breast) and Alex (back, fly) will make their mark right away.
Bloomington South
LAST YEAR: Second at sectional, 12th at state (47 points)
TOP RETURNERS: David Kovacs, So. (IM, back); Lukas Paegle, So. (50 free, fly); Kian Kadlec (200-500 frees), Leo Nelson, So. (IM, breast), Gabe Arthur, Sr. (100 free, back), Leo Friedman (200-500 frees), Michael Tierney, Sr. (diving).
OUTLOOK: The Panthers will be led by two of not only the best sophomores in the state, but two of the best period in Kovacs and Paegle. Kovacs, last year’s H-T Boys’ Swimmer of the Year, was sixth at state in the 100 backstroke (after a callup) and 10th in the 200 individual medley and will likely end up in those two events again. Paegle wasn’t far behind, taking eighth in the 100 butterfly and 22nd in the 50 freestyle. He’s qualified for the Speedo Junior Nationals (Dec. 7-10 in Greensboro, NC) in the 100 and 200 fly. “They have definitely gotten stronger and grown a little bit,” coach Annie Eakin said. “They’ve worked a lot on their swimming and they are ahead of where they were last year. I’m excited to see them in the water every day and how they perform. They are beautiful swimmers.”
There’s plenty more quality on a team of 21 to push for a sectional title. Also back are two more sophomore standouts in Nelson and Kadlec. Nelson is back in the breast, with his second event up in the air, while Kadlec has gotten a lot stronger in the distance frees, opening with a 5:05 in the 500. Senior Arthur is a versatile piece with strong fly, back and sprint free strokes, so he’ll be a valuable relay piece, too. Two other seniors, Friedman and Clive Earle (sprint frees) return, as does junior Aidan Halloran (breast). Add to it some promising sophomores in Batond Kun, who comes from Hungary, and Carter Warren from Joliet, Illinois, and freshmen in Rice Laughlin, Carter Schmeckebier and Caleb Oliver and juniors Tyler Peterson and Alex Ketrow, a pleasant surprise as a first-year swimmer. The door is wide open as to what events they might slot into, Eakin said. As for diving, the Panthers have just one entrant, but he’s a good one in Tierney, who just missed a spot at regional last year and aims to correct that and earn a bid to state. “I’m excited to see the confidence he has,” Eakin said.
Edgewood
LAST YEAR: Ninth at sectional
TOP RETURNERS: Josh Kohne, Jr. (100-200 free); Quinn Balcam, Sr. (diving).
OUTLOOK: There are just six on the roster for the Mustangs and coach Jeff Kohne. Son Josh is the top swimmer back, having just missed the B Finals at sectional in the 100 and 200 frees last year by taking 19th. Senior Ian White, junior Matthew Phillips and sophomore Cohen Bell all swam on relays at sectional. Phillips and Bell also swam the breaststroke, and Bell did the 50 free. Balcam will be aiming for regionals and maybe more in diving after missing out by one spot last season. That group is joined by junior Myles Mundy.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington boys' swimmers back to break more records, collect medals
