Boys' swimming 2016-17: Swimmers, teams to watch

Here are a few teams and swimmers to watch for The Gazette area during the 2016-17 season:

Teams

Cedar Rapids Washington — The Warriors return a pair of individual state championship candidates in distance swimmer Cameron Kelley and backstroker Kaleb Donels. Kelley won titles in the 200 freestyle and the 500 last season, the latter with a state-record time of 4:29.96. Donels was third last year in the backstroke, while versatile junior George Durin and a strong collection of sophomores including James Breitbart, Ethan Ford, Mitchell Hause, Zach Kolker and Jeremy Throndson will be relied upon to help Washington reach the top four at state for the fourth year in a row.

Iowa City West — Byron Butler was promoted to head coach of the boys' team after Rob Miecznikowski left to direct the St. Ambrose program. Butler will be tasked with replacing a trio of decorated Division I swimmers in Aidan Keen (Missouri), Mark McGlaughlin (North Carolina State) and Will Scott (Iowa), who helped the Trojans win back-to-back state titles in 2014 and 2015, plus a runner-up finish last season. Individual state qualifiers Oliver Martin and Lane Griffis return, as do medley relay state qualifiers Nassim Adu-Dagga, Ben Berhow, Brennon Keen and Noah Bruns. Highly-regarded freshman Izaak Hajek is expected to make an immediate impact.

Linn-Mar — After twice finishing 14th and 17th at state over the past four seasons, Linn-Mar Coach Tom Belin appears to have the roster maturity and depth to ascend to the top 10. Senior distance swimmer Hogan Myers, as well as junior sprinter and butterfly swimmer Matt Peng, will vie for individual podium spots. Junior Brycen Snell is expected to capitalize on a breakthrough 2016 season, and relay state qualifiers Matthew Maher, Ethan Schmidt and Zach Vana all return. Promising freshmen Nick Cavanah and Sam Peng will provide additional point-scoring depth.

Swimmers

Kaleb Donels, jr., Cedar Rapids Washington — Two-time state qualifier in the 200 individual medley and the 100 backstroke. Finished third at state in the backstroke last season and sixth as a freshman.

George Durin, jr., Cedar Rapids Washington — Two-time state qualifier in the 100 freestyle, where he placed 11th last season. Also qualified for the 100 breaststroke.

Noah Faldet, jr., Decorah — 2015 state qualifier in the 100 breaststroke.

Forrest Frazier, fr., Iowa City High — Highly-regarded freshman possessing backstroke, breaststroke and individual medley times that would have placed in the top seven at last year's state meet.

Lane Griffis, jr., Iowa City West — Distance swimmer finished 19th at the state meet in the 500 freestyle.

Paul Hummell, sr., Cedar Rapids Jefferson — Three-time breaststroke state qualifier, including a third-place finish last season. Also placed 10th in the 50 freestyle in 2015.

Cameron Kelley, sr., Cedar Rapids Washington — Defending state champion and three-time state qualifier in the 200 freestyle and the 500. State-record holder in the 500 (4:29.96). Signed with Minnesota.

Hogan Myers, sr., Linn-Mar — Two-time state qualifier in the 200 freestyle and the 500. Finished 11th in the 200 and 13th in the 500 at last year's state meet.

Oliver Martin, sr., Iowa City West — Three-time butterfly state qualifier with all three placements in the top eight. Multisport athlete was an integral part of West's back-to-back boys' swimming state championships from 2014-15. Also a highly recruited football prospect with multiple Division I offers.

Matt Peng, jr., Linn-Mar — Two-time state qualifier in the 50 freestyle and the 100 butterfly, where he finished 10th at state last season.

Cade Schoenauer, sr., Cedar Rapids Kennedy — Two-time state qualifier in the 50 freestyle and the 100 butterfly.

Brycen Snell, jr., Linn-Mar — Placed 17th in the 100 freestyle at the state meet during breakthrough sophomore season.

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com