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Lakeview wins second swim title in a row in SMAC Championships

bill broderick, battle creek enquirer
·4 min read
Lakeview junior Cody Richard competes in the 200 IM during the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference Swimming and Diving Championships at Lakeview High School on Saturday.
Lakeview junior Cody Richard competes in the 200 IM during the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference Swimming and Diving Championships at Lakeview High School on Saturday.

Winning a league title is a goal every season for the Lakeview swimming and diving team.

But after graduating 10 key seniors from last year's championship squad, the Spartans had some doubters.

Lakeview put those doubts to rest as it won a conference title in back-to-back seasons on Saturday.

Lakeview finished first at the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference Swimming and Diving Championships, held at Lakeview High School on Friday and Saturday. The Spartans had 451 team points to outdistance second-place St. Joseph, with 370. Coldwater was eighth and Battle Creek Central ninth in the 10-team field.

Also taking home the trophy in 2020, it is the third straight conference title overall, skipping the 2021 season when the SMAC didn't hold its league meet.

Earning back-to-back titles was something the squad chased all year.

"After losing 10 scoring seniors last year, we knew there was a lot of work to be done if we wanted to repeat as SMAC champs. This year's team, though small in size, is a very hard-working and well-rounded group," Lakeview coach Andy Fredenburg said. "Although we only were able to win the one event, scoring multiple guys in the top-8 of almost every event was our key to our success this weekend. We are incredibly proud of this great team, which is exactly what they are - a team - where everyone contributes and has a role to play."

Lakeview junior Daniel Borozan competes in the 200 freestyle during the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference Swimming and Diving Championships on Saturday at Lakeview High School.
Lakeview junior Daniel Borozan competes in the 200 freestyle during the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference Swimming and Diving Championships on Saturday at Lakeview High School.

Lakeview senior Hunter Hayes-Boyer was the lone first-place finisher, as he repeated as conference champ in diving with a score of 404.05. Lakeview also took third in diving with Peyton Elder.

Getting those multiple placers throughout was the key for the Spartans in a loaded SMAC. Lakeview had a handful of swimmers get top eight finishes in two individual events.

Lakeview junior Daniel Borozan was second in the 100 butterfly and took third in the 200 free. The Spartans' Cody Richard was third in the 200 IM and sixth in the 100 backstroke. Sophomore Christian Hancock was second in the 500 free and fourth in the 200 free. Eamon Foljahn was fourth in the 100 breaststroke and sixth in the 200 IM. Miguel Gonzalez was sixth in the 100 butterfly and sixth in the 100 breaststroke. Kalvin Frank was eighth in the 500 free and eighth in the 100 breaststroke.

Also placing in the championship flight were Tyler Youngs-Ball, who was fourth in the 50 free; Jack Darland, fourth in the 100 backstroke; and Jaymes Hilton, fourth in the 500 free.

Lakeview also took second in each of the three relays to load up on points.

Battle Creek Central had a standout performance from Kipras Ajauskas, who took first in the 100 breaststroke and fifth in the 100 free.

Harper Creek senior Justin LaFleur celebrates after setting the school record in the 200 freestyle at the SCC Swimming and Diving Championships at Harper Creek High School on Saturday.
Harper Creek senior Justin LaFleur celebrates after setting the school record in the 200 freestyle at the SCC Swimming and Diving Championships at Harper Creek High School on Saturday.

SCC Swimming Championships

Defending champ Harper Creek took third in the Southwestern & Central Conference Championship Meet, held at Harper Creek High School on Friday and Saturday. The Beavers, who had won the league title last season for the first time in 30 years, had 357 team points, to trail first-place Otsego's 503. Marshall took sixth.

Highlighting the day for Harper Creek was Justin LaFleur's school-record time of 1:45.76 in the 200 freestyle, giving him second in the event. LaFleur also took second in the 500 free.

Other individuals who placed in the top eight in two events for Harper Creek include Cameron Dunithan (fifth in the 200 IM, fourth in 100 breaststroke), Dominik Papiez (eighth in the 50 free, third in 100 butterfly), Carson Wager (second in 100 backstroke, eighth in 100 free).

Harper Creek was also second in the 400 relay with Sam Cook, Alex Cooley, Wager and LaFleur.

Marshall's top performance came from Micah Morehouse, who took fifth in the 500 free and fifth in the 200 free, with Carter Pratt finishing third in the 100 backstroke and seventh in the 100 butterfly.

Bowling

The Marshall girls bowling team finished as regional champs at a Division 2 meet at Continental Lanes in Kalamazoo. Marshall had a team total of 2,798 to qualify for the state finals, to be held in Waterford on Friday and Saturday. The Redhawks were led by Emily Lemon, with a total of 933, and Summer Stone, with 895.

Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter: @billbroderick.

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Lakeview wins second swim title in a row in SMAC Championships