OHS hosted the boys swimming conference championship on Saturday at The Beach Ottumwa, taking second place. This is the most successful season in recent years. The Bulldogs are set to swim at the district meet on February 6 to determine if any swimmers earn a trip to the state meet.
Conference champions on Saturday included:
- Kevin Kretz became the first OHS swimmer to win a conference championship all four years in the same event, the 100 Free. Kretz also won the conference title in the 50 free and broke the pool record, adding to his 50 Free school record set at the state meet last year.
- Arnel Bazin was conference champ in 100 Butterfly.
- 200 Free Relay (Armel Bazin, Nathan Calhoun, Maxwell Thomason, Kretz)
- 400 Free Relay (Armel Bazin, Thomason, Carson Shively, Kretz)
Other swimmers who made the podium:
- Medley Relay finished 2nd (Calhoun, Rece Budde, Bazin, Thomason)
- Shively 2nd in 200 Free
- Calhoun 4th place in 200 Individual Medley and 2nd place in 100 breaststroke.
This is Langland's third season coaching the boys. She has coached for OHS the past seven years for both swimming programs. "Having a swimmer named conference champ in the same event for four years is something very rare," said Head Coach Cherie Langland. "Kevin has worked hard and has the mental toughness necessary to accomplish this feat."
"Several swimmers have a shot at state," said Langland. "We have a well-rounded team and it's made a difference this year. We started out the season with some definite team and individual goals, and we remained determined and focused the entire season. As the season is reaching the end, it's exciting to see all these goals become a reality."
Coach Langland congratulates Kevin Kretz.
