Saints swimmers making waves for Warriors, Cougars

CEDAR RAPIDS - The boys' swim season is underway and Xavier students are making a splash at Kennedy and Washington high schools.

Xavier has eight swimmers enrolled in the co-op program through the two schools.

Washington's lineup is bolstered by five Saints - senior Mitchell Anderson, junior Mitchell Dake, sophomores George Durin and Michael Simoneau, and freshman Rory Bostwick.

For Anderson, this will be his fourth and final year participating the co-op with Washington. He has swam in varsity events since sophomore year and looks to cap off his career in style.

'I hope to set more PR times and keep the tradition going by winning the district title again this year, and further yet, possibly winning the state title,” Anderson said. 'We need to take each meet one step at a time.”

He will be swimming in many events for Washington, such as the 100-yard breaststroke, 50 freestyle, 200 medley relay and 200 free relay. Washington won its 52nd district championship last season and wrapped up the year with a runner-up finish at the state meet.

Kennedy also is looking to make a strong run at state with many state qualifiers returning this season. The Cougars will get aid from seniors Nick Lyon and Jonah Scallon, as well as freshman Alex Kilburg.

'The seniors we have this season have been our top swimmers these past four years,” Scallon said. 'We've been looking forward to this season for a while.”

Scallon also has done the co-op through Kennedy all four years of high school. He has been staying in shape by competing in cross country, along with Lyon. Scallon will look to PR in the 100 breaststroke and the 200 individual medley throughout this season.

Scallon and Anderson competed in the Metro meet late last month at Linn-Mar. Scallon broke his personal record in the 100 freestyle. Anderson placed first in the 50 freestyle and in the 200 medley relay, in which he swims breaststroke.