By Chris Bennett
Correspondent
The Elkhorn Area High School boys swimming team opened its season with a decisive 112-51 non-conference dual meet victory against Waukesha West/Mukwonago Nov. 25 at Elkhorn.
The Elks won six of 11 events and relied on team depth to achieve their margin of victory.
Coach Jamie Richardson said the Elks went through time trials Nov. 21, the Sunday before the meet. Against West/Mukwonago, the Elks posted 74 season-best times.
Freshman Logan Radlein won the 200-meter individual medley in 2 minutes, 47.11 seconds for Elkhorn.
“He really stepped up and did well,” Richardson said. “He swam a really strong leg in the 400 freestyle relay.”
The Elks’ 400 freestyle relay of Eli Burtard, Radlein, Jacob Truesdale and Brenden Finley finished first (4:36.33).
The 200 medley relay of Kyle Gorst, Finley, Brett Schmieden and William Pyle also finished first (2:06.39).
Pyle won the 100 freestyle (1:04.20), Gorst won the 100 backstroke (1:14.63) and Finley won the 100 breaststroke (1:20.22).
Richardson said all of the Elks’ veteran swimmers are faster at this point in the season than they were at the same time last year.
“Part of it comes with being older and stronger,” Richardson said. “You see a lot maturing from the boys, especially between their sophomore and junior year.”
Richardson a number of freshmen also performed well for the Elks in their first varsity meet. Daokta Biefeld finished fourth in the 100 breaststroke (1:35.04) and Noah Barkes finished fourth in the 100 backstroke (1:34.29).
“That’s always encouraging when you have the freshmen step up and have to swim varsity right away.” Richardson said.
The Elks are in the midst of a busy week. Elkhorn swam against Fort Atkinson Tuesday in a non-conference dual meet at home.
Tonight the Elks attempt to win their fifth straight Southern Lakes Conference Relays crown. The meet is at Whitewater High School. Richardson said Badger, Burlington, Platteville/Lancaster and Whitewater should be tough.
The Elks compete Saturday in the Cougar Relays at Janesville Craig High School.
