Wildcats mow down Heights and Princeton

Chisago Lakes 94, Columbia Heights 76 Chisago Lakes 100, Princeton 76 The Wildcat swimming and diving team put two easy wins in their back pocket early in the season. Both meets gave Head Coach Mark Nordby and the boys plenty of chances to test out new events and get their feet wet on the season without worrying about winning or losing. Against the Hylanders, the Wildcats took first place in every event they participated in, including clean sweeps of the top three spots in four events. Among the first places were Andrew Steward in the 200 freestyle, Jake Ewert in the 200 individual medley, Konner Doble in the 50 freestyle, Jake Carlson in diving, Riley Darling in the 100 butterfly, Austin Turman in the 100 freestyle and Ewert in the 500 free. There would have been plenty of other first places and clean sweeps in the meet, except by the time the score reached 94-29, the Wildcats swam exhibition over the last four events, which kept them from accumulating any more points. “"This was a good first dual meet of the season. It wasn't a difficult test as far as competition goes, but rather allowed me an opportunity to see our younger varsity guys in action,” Nordby said. “From now until we get to sections, every meet is basically an audition for some of these swimmers. I'm trying to get the fastest and most complete lineup I can and every meet is important from my standpoint.” Against Princeton, it was the same story. The Wildcats had six clean sweeps in this one and eight first places in eight events until they moved to exhibition at 100-26. First places went to Turman in the 200 free, Ewert in the 200 IM, Eric Barnes in the 500 free, Carlson in diving, Darling in the 100 fly, Avery Turman in the 100 free, and Austin Turman in the 500 free. “We were a bit tired from training so our times as a team were off,” Nordby explained. “That’s the nature of training though. At this point in the season, we can’t afford to rest up for meets and need to train right through these types of meets.” Despite that, there was still some strong times. Zach Halfen had personal bests in the backstroke and 100 free and were better than his tapered section times last year. “He’s been a nice surprise for us,” Nordby said.