In The Water / North, East return top boys swimmers; Olympians have new coach – The Republic

While the girls swimming season is under way at Columbus East and Columbus North, the boys season kicks off Tuesday for the Bull Frogs and Dec. 3 for the Olympians.

Here is a look at those and other area boys swim teams for the coming season:

Columbus North

The Bull Frogs return a solid nucleus of swimmers from a team that finished second in both the Conference Indiana and sectional meets.

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Senior Christopher Lee won sectional titles and finished ninth in the 100-yard backstroke and 10th in the 50 freestyle at state and swam on the state-qualifying 200 freestyle relay team in earning The Republic Boys Swimmer of the Year honors. This summer, Lee committed to swim at Indiana University.

"He has the opportunity to compete for a state title in both of his events," North coach Logan Schaefer said.

Sophomore Daniel Utterback and junior David Fry were sectional finalists in individual events and joined Lee on the state-qualifying 200 freestyle relay team. Senior Kyan Jiles and junior Cole Wheeler were regional diving qualifiers.

Senior Aidan McAlister was sectional runner-up in the 500 freestyle and was a sectional finalist in the 200 freestyle. Junior Matthew Goble in the 500 freestyle and sophomore Pratt Badve in the 100 breaststroke also were sectional finalists.

Other top returners include junior Carlos Fabian Aguilar, sophomore Will Russell and senior diver Deshawn Austin. Freshmen Brock Smith and Isaac Proffitt lead the group of newcomers.

"I feel like we have a good group," Schaefer said. "Were led by a very experienced senior class. They have experience at the sectional and state levels and are really doing a good job helping our underclassmen understand what they need to do to help our team be successful this year. We have a good mix of experience and fresh excitement with our upper and underclassmen. I think we have a chance to be successful at the sectional meet and the Conference Indiana tournament."

Columbus East

The Olympians have a new coach in Doug Trueblood. Trueblood swam for East from 1998-92, and has coached with Donner Swim Club and as assistant at Terre Haute North and head coach for Wabash Valley Swim Club in Terre Haute.

The Olympians return their top swimmers in junior Branson Young, who finished third in the 100 breaststroke in the sectional, and senior Chad Kelly, who was a sectional finalist in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle.

East received a big boost when sophomore Brady Beyer, an accomplished club swimmer who did not swim high school last year, came out for the team. Beyer is a standout breaststroker who also can swim the 200 individual medley and distance events.

"Im excited with what he can do," Trueblood said. "He brings a level of intensity with him, along with Chad Kelly. He and Branson will give us a solid 1-2 punch in the breaststroke."

Senior Mason Curry and junior Dathan Wolf were consolation finalists at the sectional.

The Olympians have a pair of divers in junior Marc Mathis and sophomore Connor English. Senior newcomer Elias VanCuren and freshmen Judah Nickoll and Cavan Stilson will look to make an impact in the pool.

"We have a lot of guys that have never swam before," Trueblood said. "Were going to struggle a little bit with just the numbers. Im really excited with the young guys coming in and giving this a try. Im excited to see how those kids grow over the next couple of years."

Jennings County

The Panthers got a late start to the season because of COVID-19, but first-year coach Leah McLeod was pleased with what she saw when practice began on Monday.

"We had a really good turnout," McLeod said. "Were coming out a little slow, but if I have what I had (Monday) night, Jennings is going to make a comeback. Its exciting to see the numbers."

Senior Danny Hoffman was a sectional finalist in the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke last season. Sophomore Jonathan Jones in the 200 IM and sophomore Levi Marsh in the 100 backstroke were consolation finalists.

Senior Louden Feltner is back after not swimming last year. Freshman Brock Lane will look to contribute in the freestyle and backstroke events.

Trinity Lutheran

The Cougars have only one swimmer in senior Ethan Myers.

Myers, who was a sectional consolation finalist in two events last year, is coming back from knee injury sustained during soccer season. He likely swim the 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle and possibly the 100 backstroke or 200 IM.

"With his injury, well just have to take it one step at a time," Trinity coach Doug Sabotin said. "We just want to make sure we keep him safe and fully rehabbed, so were not going to push it."

If you go

The 2020-21 boys swimming schedules for Columbus East and Columbus North:

Columbus East

Dec. 3;Shelbyville;6 p.m.

Dec. 8;at Columbus North;5:30 p.m.

Dec. 10;Jennings County;6 p.m.

Dec. 12;at Shelbyville Relays;1 p.m.

Dec. 19;at New Albany;10 a.m.

Dec. 28;at Mooresville Invitational;1 p.m.

Jan. 7;Bedford North Lawrence;6 p.m.

Jan. 12;Madison;6 p.m.

Jan. 21;Seymour;6 p.m.

Jan. 23;at Jeffersonville;11 a.m.

Jan. 26;at Greensburg;6 p.m.

Jan. 30;HHC at Floyd Central;1 p.m.

Columbus North

Tuesday;at Franklin;5:30 p.m.

Nov. 28;North Central;10 a.m.

Dec. 3;Seymour;5:30 p.m.

Dec. 5;at Center Grove;10 a.m.

Dec. 8;Columbus East;5:30 p.m.

Dec. 22;Bloomington South;5 p.m.

Dec. 30;at Bloomington South Invitational;10 a.m.

Jan. 7;at Bloomington North;6 p.m.

Jan. 9;at Bloomington North Diving Invitational;9 a.m.

Jan. 23;Conference Indiana at Southport;9 a.m.

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In The Water / North, East return top boys swimmers; Olympians have new coach - The Republic