Small schools state sets up area swim squads for conference/sectional

The key to the venerable and fun Small Schools State Invitational swim meet, say veteran area coaches, is to show that you're in good shape heading into the upcoming WIAA state series, but to not tip your hand too much so as other teams block your chances of doing well.

And based on the results and responses from coaches after Saturday's boys version of the annual event at Plymouth, the still-training-hard-and-tired Shorewood, Whitefish Bay and Brown Deer/University School programs got more or less what they wanted.

And all are cautiously optimistic with where they are heading into Saturday's conference meets.

"It was a very good showing for us," said Bay coach Jim Davis, whose squad was fifth. "We had a good, friendly battle with our neighbors from Shorewood (which was eighth) and our kids got to start off some excellent blocks, which is good practice for us (heading into the upcoming meets)."

The Blue Dukes got the only area first in the meet, as freshman diver Joe Kaszubowski continues to impress with a sound win in a 14-man field. The 400 free relay also turned in a strong, season-best, state-level effort.

Looking forward to tapering

Meanwhile, Shorewood coach Rob McCabe said his squad can't wait to begin its taper.

"Saturday's meet was a struggle for many of our boys," he said. "They are either tired, starting a rest phase or even sick with a cold."

Jay Tomasiewicz finished fourth in the 200 individual medley and second in the 100 butterfly to lead the Greyhounds.

Meanwhile, Brown Deer/USM coach Bob Van Lieshout is pumped and optimistic after taking 11th in the meet.

"We've won only one dual meet all season," he said, "but we have a reasonable chance of advancing five individuals and two relays (to state), maybe even more. When we get to the very end of the year, when our (small) numbers don't matter as much, we'll look better."

Both Stephen Grambow and Billy Wong had strong meets to lead the Falcons. Bay scored 168 points for its spot in the 18-team Small Schools field, as Shorewood had 159 and Brown Deer/USM 102. Last year's top two teams in the WIAA State Division 2 meet, defending champ McFarland (332) and Monona Grove (245) put on a show.

"The McFarland coach told me, he's just enjoying his seniors right now," laughed Van Lieshout.

For Bay, Kaszubowski, who has a strong gymnastics background and who trains with nationally regarded coach Todd Hill at the Schroeder Aquatic Center, won his specialty by more than 34 points with a 429.25 total.

Other top performances for the Blue Dukes included the following: 200 medley relay: Noah Oldson, Henry Smith, James Colton and Henry Bourgeois, sixth (1:48.85); 200 individual medley: Smith, ninth (2:09.69); 50 free: Ethan Nikolau, sixth (23.39); 100 free: Bourgeois, eighth (51.78); 500 free: Smith, fourth (5:00.37); 100 backstroke: Oldson, eighth (59.79), and Colton, 10th (1:00.44); and 400 free relay: Nikolau, Smith, Bourgeois and Colton, seventh (3:27.41).

"The guys were still training pretty hard going into that meet," said Davis, "but we didn't miss too much. We were aiming for the top eight and we got fifth, so that was good for us."

The North Shore Conference meet, with Cedarburg as the favorite, starts at 11 a.m. Saturday at Nicolet (Diving is held Thursday).

For Shorewood, Tomasiewicz was clocked in 2:01.55 in the 200 IM and came across in 55.73 in the 100 butterfly for his medals.

Other top efforts for the Greyhounds include the following: 200 medley relay: Derek Lock, Henry Sanders, Andrew Clokey and Philip Clausen, 10th (1:49.55); 200 free: Kirill Korolev, seventh (1:52.84); 100 butterfly: Clausen, ninth (59.42) and Clokey, 10th (59.95); 500 free: Korolev, sixth (5:00.72); 200 free relay: Tomasiewicz, Sanders, Clausen and Korolev, fifth (1:35.47); 100 breast stroke: Sanders, ninth (1:07.11); and 400 free relay: Tomasiewicz, Clausen, Korolev and Lock, eighth (3:30.69).

Woodland meet next

McCabe is looking forward to Saturday's Woodland Conference meet at Greenfield where he and Greenfield/Greendale and New Berlin are expected to do battle for top honors.

"We are going to have to rely on the taper swimmers to carry us at the conference meet," he said. "If they swim at their best along with the other guys, I like our chances. I like being in the conversation at least."

Brown Deer/USM will also be in that meet, which starts at 1:15 p.m.

Top efforts for the Falcons at the Small School event include the following: diving: Gerry Gilles, sixth (283.45 points); 200 medley relay: Grambow, Wong, Josh Thompson and Adam Brostowicz, seventh (1:48.9); 200 free: Wong, 10th (1:54.67); 100 backstroke: Grambow, seventh (58.95); 100 breast stroke: Wong, fifth (1:05.39); and 400 free relay: Grambow, Thompson, Berj Balyozian and Wong, ninth (3:37.63).

Van Lieshout was happy with a number of performers including Gilles, Grambow, Brostowicz, Wong, Thompson and Ben Zaydaman.

"We're a little sick, a little tired, but I think we're going to have a great taper," Van Lieshout said. "In the big picture, we've been healthy and if we stay healthy, we should do OK in the coming weeks."