With most of the dual meet season lost in their wake, Clarkston’s swim team is focusing a steely gaze on the OAA II league meet at West Bloomfield which begins on Feb. 21 and concludes on Feb. 24.
‘We’re looking forward to leagues and I’m hoping to get a couple of kids to states,? Clarkston Coach Kenwyn Chock said.
Chock thinks seniors Josh Badgerow and Ryan Kurrle have shots to qualify for states in the 100 butterfly and senior Matt Inch could make time for states in the 500 freestyle.
The league meet will be Clarkston’s last chance to qualify swimmers for the state finals which are held March 10-11. The team has been tapering for nearly two weeks in preparation and Chock has noticed a drop in times.
‘This is a veteran team. We have nine seniors and they’ve been through this before. They know their window is small and they’re focused. They want to leave Clarkston knowing they put out their best times,? Chock said.
Though the Wolves as a team split in dual meets over the past week, beating Royal Oak Dondero 107-76 on Feb. 7 but losing to West Bloomfield 127-59 on Feb. 9, the seniors anchored the team throughout.
Leading the way in Clarkston’s runaway victory over Dondero was Badgerow and Kurrle. Badgerow won the 200 freestyle; teamed with Kurrle, freshman Robert Nelson and sophomore Phillip Voorheis for a win in the 200 medley relay; and teamed with Kurrle, Voorheis and senior Mike Nelson for a win in the 200 freestyle. Also helping the Wolves pile up the points against Dondero was the 400 freestyle relay team of Robert Nelson, Inch, senior Jim Peers and senior Evan McKenzie who took first place. Also placing first individually against Dondero were: Kurrle (50 freestyle), senior Keith Voorheis (100 butterfly), Robert Nelson (100 backstroke) and Mike Nelson (100 breaststroke).
Against West Bloomfield, senior Tereau Blake won the diving competition; Kurrle and Badgerow finished first and second respectively in the 100 butterfly; and the all senior 200 medley relay team of Badgerow, Kurrle, Mike Nelson and Keith Voorheis finished second.
In the Wolves final dual meet of the season, at Seaholm on Feb. 16, Chock will enter her swimmers in events they will not be competing in at leagues to keep them fresh.