Swimming: A successful first week

• Swimming

Farmington's swimmers had a good first week.

Talk about it

Farmington boys swimming and diving coach Ryan Hamen was pleased with the progress his team showed while splitting a pair of dual meets to open the 2010 season last week at the Dodge Middle School pool.

The Tigers won seven events in a 101-83 decision over Hopkins Tuesday night at Dodge Middle School, then suffered their first loss by a score of 92-89 Thursday night against Prior Lake.

“We had some real good swims last night. The new swimmers are really getting used to competition and making great improvements with their swimming form,” Hamen said. “Most of the veteran swimmers are about two months ahead of their times from last year. Some are getting best times, giving us a lot to look forward to in the near future.”

Senior Allen Berg was part of three first-place finishes against Prior Lake. He topped the field in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1 minute, 55.27 seconds, won the 500 freestyle in 5:13.58, then came back to join Brian Huls, Loren Hatten and Connor Kealy for a first-place 1:35.35 in the 200 relay.

Huls added an individual victory in the 100 freestyle with a time of 50.59. Tyler Magalis was also a two-time winner as he followed a narrow victory in the 50 freestyle by running away with the diving competition with a score of 199.70.

The Tigers also finished second in three events: Huls in the 100 backstroke and Zach Holton in the 100 butterfly and the 400 relay.

There was no shortage of high finishes in Tuesday’s season-opening meet against Hopkins.

Huls and Magalis were each part of four first-place finshes, including the meet-opening 200 medley relay where they joined Hatten and Holton for a time of 1:46.21.

Berg followed with a first-place finish in the 200 freestyle, then Hatten, Holton and Kealy went 2-3-4 in the 200 individual medley to give the Tigers a 29-17 lead.

After that, three straight victories stretched the home team’s advantage to 57-37. Magalis went back-to-back in the 50 freestyle and the 1-meter dive and Huls followed with a winning time of 57.44 in the 100 butterfly.

“The boys did well Tuesday.  Many finished with times they had at conference last year,” Hamen said. “I hope its a sign of great things to come.”

The Tigers compete again next Thursday at the Apple Valley Invite. Events begin at 10 a.m. at the Valley Middle School Pool.

Tags: sports, farmington, tigers, prep, swimming