Macomb Daily 08-09 Swimming Preview

Dakota dives into the Red Division - The Macomb Daily Sports > Preps: Breaking news coverage for Macomb County, Michigan

Dakota dives into the Red Division

Friday, December 26, 2008 6:10 AM EST

By John Hetzler, Macomb Daily Sports Writer

What can Dakota do for an encore?

After going undefeated in dual matches and winning the MAC White Division championship last season, Dakota's swimming and diving team moves into the MAC Red Division for the 2008-09 campaign.

"We have a very young team this year so I think we will make big improvement throughout the year," said Dakota coach John Samonie, whose team finished second at last winter's Macomb County Swimming and Diving Championships.

"I think we can have a really great season, but it is going to be tough in the Red Division this year," Samonie said. "I have a great group of kids that work really hard so we could surprise a lot of people by the (end) of the year."

Junior Al Francisco leads the Cougars in the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke, and seniors Ben Szymczak and Martin McCreadie each excel in the freestyle events.

Senior Jesse Sivec returns as Dakota's top diver.

MAC Red Division

Eisenhower will be led by captains Ben Hohnstadt (200 individual medley, breaststroke) and Steve Brown (IM, backstroke). In addition, Eagles coach Roger Doyle expects big things from freshman Kris Hector in the IM, butterfly and 500 freestyle.

Romeo, the defending county champion, is led by seniors Devon Compeau and Tyler Laurain. Other top swimmers are Mike Glinski, Matt Ruman and Max Hensel, and Matt Lennon gives the squad a strong diver. The Bulldogs have won eight of

the last 11 county titles.

Grosse Pointe North and Grosse Pointe South also compete in the division. Grosse Pointe South finished 16th at last year's Division 2 state finals.

MAC White Division

Anchor Bay returns junior Aaron Shields, a double winner at last year's county meet. Sophomore Nick Victor, a runner-up in two events at the county meet, also returns for the Tars.

Chippewa Valley brings back Jeff Chew, the school record holder in the 500 free and two-time MAC White champion in that event. Other returning swimmers for the Big Reds are Kevin Schnieders, Andrew Scheibe and Mike Arena.

"We have great captains and seniors this season as well as a good size freshman class," Chippewa Valley coach Jeff Lepler said. "The year has the makings of something special."

Ford will be led by Zlatan Cizmic, Justin Nasiadka, Jack Dischler and Brandon Nelson.

Ryan Rutherford and Charles Ross are among the top swimmers at Fraser.

L'Anse Creuse is led by Eric Platte, who excels in the 500 freestyle.

MAC Blue Division

L'Anse Creuse North moves into the MAC Blue after winning the MAC Gold and going 8-1 overall last season. Top swimmers for the Crusaders include senior Chris Ciesinski, sophomore Adis Jakupovic, senior Pat Wloszczynski and senior Joe Pomaville.

Roseville has high hopes with senior Jeff Maniaci, the defending division champion in the 200 IM and the 100 free, and senior Dennis Defauw, the defending division diving champ, returning to the Panthers. Other top swimmers for the Panthers are sophomores Taylor Compton and Ken Mayer.

"We have a lot of returning talent this year, especially in the stroke events," Roseville coach Jason Bettin said. "We finished last season on a real strong note by winning the Blue Division championship meet. We are focused on defending that this year and hopefully adding a dual-meet championship to it as well."

Stevenson has a big roster with 41 swimmers and two divers, including 17 newcomers. Juniors Anthony Bollini, Damenik Dusevic, Jon Duvall and Joey Kowoleski return for the Titans.

"Most of our top returners swam in the offseason and (are) coming back very strong," Stevenson coach Suzanne Murray said. "We're excited about competing in the Blue this year."

Ryan Nichols, Anthony Russo, Ben Halliwill and Grant Marcinkowski lead the way for Utica.

Marysville and St. Clair also compete in the MAC Blue.

MAC Gold Division

Cousino will depend on a pair of seniors in Patrick Kennedy (freestyle, backstroke) and Scott Umbarger (freestyle/butterfly).

Lake Shore boasts an experienced team led by senior captain Tony Szep, who finished third in the 100 breaststroke at last year's county meet. Also returning are senior captain Brian Damm and sophomore Nick Michielutti.
Lake
"The Phelps effect is seeming to work well," Lake Shore coach Tom Zalewski said. "This is the biggest boys team Lake Shore has ever had to my knowledge. We have a lot of upperclassmen to lead and a lot of rookies that give us some flexibility. With LCN out of the division, it should be an even closer division that it has been in the past couple of years."

South Lake will receive contributions from Joe Crachiola, Nick Patricca, Max Woerfel, Brian Micallef and Austin Killgore. Patricca already has posted a Division 3 state-qualifying time in the 100 backstroke.

Nino Papale and Mitchell Berkley are among the top swimmers for Warren Woods-Tower.

Lamphere and Marine City also compete in the MAC Gold.

MAC Silver Division

Center Line will receive contributions from Shawn Johnston, Ryan McEvoy, Joe Henson and Cole Raxter.

East Detroit has expanded from just eight swimmers to 17 and one diver in the Shamrocks' second year under coach Lauren Feldman. Sophomore Brett Schultz (freestyle, backstroke) returns after a strong freshman year, and junior Ed Cormier already has posted a personal-best time in the 100 butterfly this season.

"I am really enthusiastic to see where our speed can take us this season," Feldman said.

Fitzgerald will be led by Steven Poma (backstroke) as well as Austin Hayes, Gage Roach, William Lindsay and Chris Gill.

Lakeview will be led by senior captain Tom Noonan, who competes in the individual medley and the 500 free, and junior captain Matt Price, who swims in the 50 and 100 free and the butterfly. Newcomer Emmanuel Jianis shows promise, as does freshman diver Joe Niemiec.

Sterling Heights, the defending MAC Silver champion, should receive contributions from Justin Wilson, Horea Calimente, John Dayco and Peter Jaworski. Bruce Northey is the top diver for the Stallions.

Warren-Mott finished second in the MAC Silver last season, and the Marauders hope to challenge Sterling Heights for the division crown. Dan Chapman, Ethan Sroka, Dan Pysh, Josh Dunkelberg, Greg Hakala and Nathan Prashcan lead Warren-Mott.

"We are looking forward to competing with Sterling again for our division title," Warren-Mott coach Michelle Taylor said. "We were very close in our dual meet with them and at our division meet. We are hoping with our strong seniors, we will be able to win our division title this year."

Clawson also competes in the MAC Silver.

Others

De La Salle, which competes in the Catholic League Central Division, finished third at last year's county meet. Seven seniors have graduated from that squad, but 11 swimmers return, including state qualifiers and co-captains Mac Biggert, Pat Vaughn and Kieran Scott. Biggert (50, 100 free) is a sophomore and Vaughn (distance freestyle) and Scott (IM, breaststroke) are seniors. Also returning is Joe Chodkiewicz.

"We're hoping to be top-five in the county," DLS coach Joe Michol said. "But the county is going to be pretty tough this year."