DHS Swim & Dive 2nd in Div. 2 State Championships - Eight Earn All-State Honors!

The Dexter Men’s Swim & Dive Team captured its 5th top 10 finish in five years at the division 2 MHSAA state swim & dive championships March 7-8 at the EMU Jones Natatorium.  In 2010, the Dreads moved back into top rankings after a 4 year hiatus when they took 6th place; they grabbed the championship title in 2012, and then in a year of rebuilding with a young squad, outswam the entire field except champs Birmingham Seaholm and brought home the finalist trophy for 2nd place. With just 11 state meet qualifiers, fewer than even last year’s team (4th place at the state meet), Dexter faced the challenge of moving into contention for the runner up spot as Seaholm’s crew was likely out of reach. Dexter’s competition was a fairly long list including Ann Arbor Skyline (6th place), Jenison (5th place), Battle Creek Lakeview (4th place) and Grosse Pointe South (3rd place).

Senior co-captain Jake Kilian reflected, "I honestly was not surprised by our second place finish!  McHugh works those swimmers harder than anyone and they put it all there!  I'm very proud of my fellow teammates and look forward to seeing them next year from the stands!"

Coaching the Dreads in his eighth year is Michael McHugh, and he is joined by dive coach Shawn Bergman. Bergman’s lone dive qualifier, Kilian, scored big for Dexter taking All-State honors with his 7th place finish, the highest Dexter dive scorer since 2006 (Dread Mike Eberbach finished in 6th). Swimming for Dexter were senior co-captain Andrew Watson, juniors Paddy Harvey and Andrew Pek; sophomores Matt Bergdolt, David Merz, Jimmy Morgan, Chris Seidleck, Ryan Stanton and Rob Zofchak; and freshman Alex Janosi. Watson commented on the team’s success, "There are a lot of factors that come into play…but personally…we never gave up. Early on in the season, it wasn't looking good for us, but we stuck together, worked hard, and with coach's guidance we had a phenomenal finish at states."

Dexter’s state qualifiers competed in the division 2 two-day event with preliminary swims on Friday where the top 16 qualify and return to swim/dive again for the championship heats on Saturday.  The top 16 only can score in both individual and relay events, with the top eight finishers of each event earning Michigan All-State honors. The Dreads swam their hearts out on Friday, with 8 swimmers returning and Kilian diving for the scoring heats on Saturday.  Earning MHSAA All-State honors in two relays and both of their individual events were Zofchak (medley relay, 200 IM, 100 backstroke, 400 freestyle relay) and Pek (medley relay, 100 butterfly, 100 backstroke, 400 freestyle relay).

The Dexter team (203) was awarded the finalist trophy having earned their spot behind Seaholm (357). Grosse Point South was 3rd (196), Battle Creek Lakeview, led by co-swimmer of the meet Jon Vann took fourth place (179). The Dreads will celebrate much success for their season with their full team at their annual banquet on March 27th.