Lakers still unbeaten in Coastal; Rams top Bucs

Fri, Feb 8, 2008    to del.icio.us

Spring Lake continued its dominance of the Coastal Conference swim league with a 64-24 victory over Fremont Thursday evening.

The event was initially canceled, but the schools changed their minds and held the meet at Fremont. Muskegon Catholic Central was also supposed to compete in the double-dual, but did not attend.

The Lakers' Steve Hintz, Casey Brady, Jared Foster and Nick Crowell won the opening event, the 200-yard medley relay.

Ben Gezon won the 200 freestyle, while Michael Zacek won the 200 individual medley. Chad Eagan took first place in diving, Marcus Fowler won the 100 butterfly, and Steve Kramer was victorious in the 100 freestyle.

Hintz won the 500 free for the Lakers.

Fowler, Brady, Zacek and Sam Cotterall teamed up to win the 200 free relay, then Fowler, Zacek, Crowell and Cotterall joined forces to win the 400 free relay.

"This was a great opportunity to put guys in events that they might not normally swim," said coach Penny Zacek. "We had some very good swims from Isaac Helsen, Ben Gezon, Steve Hintz, Doug Brewer, Brendon Reap, Riley Helsen and Trey Matus."

The Laker divers were led by a pair of freshmen. Landen Adkins took first place and Chad Eagin was second, just four points behind. Two points farther back was senior Trey Mantus, who took third.

RAMS EDGE BUCS

Grand Haven needed a win against Rockford Thursday in order to cling to any hopes of winning the O-K Red Conference championship this winter.

Those hopes were dashed as the host Rams swam past the visiting Buccaneers, 173-142, despite Grand Haven winning nine of the 12 events.

"We were short-handed tonight, and it really hurt us," coach Aaron Portenga said. "While we won a lot of events, we gave up a lot of 2-3-4-5 places and that adds up quickly in eight-lane scoring."

One highlight for the Bucs was freshman Erik Johnson's winning the 100-yard backstroke in a state-qualifying time, his first individual state cut.

"Erik is easily one of the hardest workers on this team, and it was nice to see his hard work rewarded tonight with a state cut," said Bucs' assistant coach Casey Jensen.

Junior divers David Craycraft and Kenny Kenrick finished 1-2, helping each secured a spot in the diving regionals later this month.

Jake Heyblom won a pair of individual events for the Bucs, as did Aaron Beebe.

The Bucs' final dual meet of the season will be Thursday, when Jenison visits the Grand Haven Community Aquatics Center. Grand Haven then hosts the O-K Red Conference meet the following weekend.