Macomb Daily Article Feb 12 2008

Swimming Notebook

Crusader swimmers continue to hit their marks • LCN repeats as MAC Gold dual meet champ.

By Tom Willard Macomb Daily Sports Writer

It was hardly a surprise when L’Anse Creuse North clinched a second-straight Macomb Area Conference Gold Division dual meet championship last week, but the Crusaders took immense satisfaction in the accomplishment nonetheless.

“They love it,” LCN boys coach Mike Owensby said of his swimmers and divers, who defeated Marine City 95-84 to finish 5-0 in the division and successfully defend their crown.

“To go back-to-back was just an incredible season for them,” said Owensby. “They swam together as a team. They pushed each other. The seniors are helping our young kids to become better, which in turn is making the program better. Our ultimate goal is to produce a team that can knock out the (elite programs in Macomb County.)”

LCN features virtually the same roster that went undefeated in MAC Gold competition in 2007, led by Kevin Engelman, who broke former all-state swimmer Craig Jakowiac’s school record in the 100 butterfly with a time of 55.58 seconds versus Cousino on Jan. 8. Engelman, who finished second only to Eisenhower’s Kevin Galerneau at the Feb. 2 county meet, is closing in on a Division 1 state qualifying cut.

“He’s having an incredible season,” Owensby said of the senior, who will compete in both the 100 butterfly and the 200 freestyle at this weekend’s 2008 Michigan Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association boys meet at Eastern Michigan University.

Junior Chris Ciesinski (100 freestyle) and the Crusaders’ 200 medley, 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relay teams will also compete at the MISCA meet, which is expected to draw 300 or more of the best prep swimmers in the state.

Owensby said his goal is “to swim our best, set some team records and see if we can get close to some state cuts” at the competition.

LCN finished seventh in team scoring at the county meet behind Anchor Bay and ahead of Chippewa Valley.

“I didn’t have any outstanding swims but we finished right where we should have, six positions higher than last year with the same team,” said Owensby. “My entire team is swimming pretty well. They’ve been nice and consistent, and when I’ve needed something done, they’ve stepped up and done it.”

One of his more pleasant surprises has been senior Kyle Ficht, who qualified for the county meet for the first time this season and placed in the top 16 in both the 200 and 500 freestyle events.

“He’s really come on strong and been very impressive,” his coach said.

Owensby, who coached at Chippewa Valley and Dakota before taking over at LCN in 2001, said his team will surely move up into the MAC Blue Division next year after running the table two consecutive seasons in the Gold. The Crusaders jumped up from the MAC Silver in 2004.

“It’s time for them to move up (again),” he said. “Each year the higher division is supposed to hold more competition, which will hopefully make my kids step up and swim even better than they are now.”