The Lake Orion boys swimming and diving team hopes to make a two-spot jump in the state finals after finishing in fifth last year.
‘We have all our state meeters back except for one,? said coach Paul Fairman. ‘We graduated a few people.?
The team has 35 on the roster this year, up a bit from last season. Fairman said several swimmers and one diver did a lot of off-season work that they are hoping will pay off.
Junior Ricky Forrest could make a major jump this year, Fairman said, as well as senior Dave Brown.
Also helping out the Dragons will be senior Garrett Ruhland, who Fairman said is very talented.
The Dragons also return diver Brandon Figurski, a junior, who finished last year behind the first place diver at the state meet by less than a point.
‘He had our best performance at the state finals, and that was his first year of diving,? Fairman said.
‘Brown will jump in the top five or six as well as (Forrest),? he said. ?(Ruhland) has a chance of winning an event (at the state meet).?
The team also returns senior diver Kellen Malstrom and senior Andrew Kuehl, both captains this year along with Ruhland.
As for the team’s newcomers and mid-level swimmers, Fairman said ‘they look rough.?
‘We have a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of kids,? he said. ‘We lost Pat Dodge, which will be a big blow for us.?
Duel-meet wise, Fairman said Lake Orion’s record will depend on what swimmers the other teams lost.
‘Groves is always the team to beat,? he said. ‘Seaholm always reloads, but Troy will be weaker.?
The Dragons would like to place at the league meet, and Fairman said they will most likely compete for one of the second-sixth spots.
‘We won’t finish last,? he said. ‘We are strong in the butterfly, freestyle distance, IM and free relays.?
The team needs to find someone to step up for the backstroke and breaststroke events, however.
‘We do have some more experienced guys who are taking more ownership over the program,? said Fairman.