Shorewood hopes to make it lucky seven

SHORELINE

The Shorewood boys swim takes aim at its seventh straight Western Conference South Division title this year.

For years, the Thunderbirds have been a great dual meet team, dominating with their depth. But this year, while top heavy with individual talent that could score at state, the T-birds traditional dual meet dominance will be tested by the likes of Kamiak, Shorecrest and Jackson.

“I would say our fastest guys are faster but we don’t have the depth we’ve had in years past,” said fifth-year coach Scott Kelley, who has never failed to win the league title.

A group of water polo players who all graduated last year helped create much of the depth the last four years, Kelley said.

Returning for the T-birds this season is senior co-captain Max Vincent, who placed 12th last year at the state 4A meet in the 50 freestyle with a time of 22.93 seconds. Vincent will also swim the 100 freestyle and several relays.

“I think we can do it this year,” Vincent said of winning the league. “I have confidence.”

Junior Tim Tan, who finished 15th in the 100 butterfly at state last year with a time of 56.16 and 23rd in the 200 freestyle in 1:54.6, returns as one of the T-birds’ leading swimmers. Tan already has qualified for state in the butterfly.

Senior Chris Lewis, a state participant the last two years in the 100 breaststroke, is back in that event.

Two newcomers to high school swimming, junior Bryan Michaels and sophomore Marcus Gill add to the T-birds’ distance repertoire.

Michaels strengths are the 200 and 500 freestyles while Gill swims the 500 and 200 individual medley. Distances have not been Shorewood’s strong suit in the past.

“It’s a much different team this year,” Kelley said.

Another returning swimmer is senior Matt Gill whose specialty is the 200 individual medley.

Freshman Mackey Hopen’s best event is the 50 freestyle, but he also is versatile.

“He’s been pretty aggressive the first couple of meets,” Kelley said. “He doesn’t really have a weak stroke.”

Junior Maxwell DeMeritt is expected to contribute in the 50 freestyle.

Two Shorewood relays medaled at state last year: the 200 medley relay took sixth and 200 freestyle relay placed eighth.

“We should have three pretty solid relays,” Kelley said. “All three of our relays are about equal. We’ll see at the end of the year.”

The T-birds have 32 swimmers out along with six divers who are eligible.

Senior Stephen Chung leads the divers and has a shot at state berth, dive coach Shauna Kopischka said. Other divers include senior Connor Ronald, freshman Reilly Goldberg, freshman Kelly Price, freshman Sai Ruhlen and freshman Sam Burdick.