Nick Saulnier grew up in the Cedar Rapids Washington school district and comes from a family of swimmers, so he was aware of the traditions at Washington when he joined the swim team this year as a freshman.
He was aware of the 28 state titles and the 49 straight district crowns coming into this season, one of the most remarkable streaks in Iowa prep history in any sport.
He's also aware the Warriors like to dye their hair bright blond to set them apart in any pool. He normally has dark brown hair, but not anymore.
"We got our blond hair Saturday," he said Tuesday with a smile. "It's a tradition that we do every year."
Saulnier is fitting into the team nicely this year, and not just because he went along with the dye job.
He won four events Tuesday as the Warriors dominated Linn-Mar, 117-52, by capturing 10 out of 11 events at the Coe College Natatorium.
Saulnier has been a successful swimmer for club teams and was looking forward to the day when he could join the Washington varsity.
"I was super-excited when I was an eighth grader last year, because I knew I was going to be on the Washington team this year," he said.
Saulnier won the 200 freestyle Tuesday and swam on the triumphant 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay. He said his favorite event is the 100 backstroke, but he didn't swim that race against Linn-Mar.
He's set lofty goals for himself in the 100 backstroke.
"I want to go a 51 (seconds) -- try to go that fast in the 100 back. And maybe get top-five at state," he said.
Washington Coach Chris Cruise knew Saulnier would join the team this year and said he's a member of a talented freshman class with the Warriors.
"He has a real strong will to be successful," Cruise said. "He has set some real high goals for himself personally this year."
Cruise thinks Saulnier could win a state title someday. "Assuming he continues to do what he's doing, that's definitely a possibility," the coach said.
Jared Thorson and Josh Hughes also were four-time winners for Washington on Tuesday. Thorson, a sophomore, won the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke and swam on the victorious 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay.
Hughes, a senior, claimed the 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke and swam on the winning 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay.
Ryo Ueno, an exchange student from Japan, won the 500 freestyle for Washington and swam on the 400 freestyle relay. Nick Durin took the 50 freestyle and swam on the 200 freestyle relay.
John Kopec, Jakob Kehoe and Logan Barnes swam on winning relays for the Warriors.
Duggan Trenary captured the 100 butterfly for Linn-Mar. The Lions were missing about 10 swimmers because of illness.
WASHINGTON 117, LINN-MAR 52
200 Medley Relay
1. Washington (Nick Saulnier, John Kopec, Jared Thorson, Josh Hughes) 1:42.51
2. Washington (Ryo Ueno, Nick Durin, Zach Weston, Sami Scheetz) 1:47.16
3. Linn-Mar (Calvin Greve, Jonathan Tripp, Matthew Ramsey, Reid Snell) 1:55.27
200 Freestyle
1. Nick Saulnier (CRW) 1:54.91
2. Kyle McNeal (LM) 1:56.03
3. Logan Barnes (CRW) 1:57.77
200 IM
1. Josh Hughes (CRW) 2:06.47
2. Jonathan Tripp (LM) 2:19.44
3. Cameron Bentley (CRW) 2:20.14
50 Freestyle
1. Nick Durin (CRW) 23.39
2. Justin Arebaugh (LM) 23.61
3. Jakob Kehoe (CRW) 23.91
100 Butterfly
1. Duggan Trenary (LM) 57.88
2. Samii Scheetz (CRW) 59.79
3. Matt Jackson (CRW) 1:00.80
100 Freestyle
1. Jared Thorson (CRW) 50.75
2. Nick Durin (CRW) 52.43
3. Nate Greve (LM) 52.48
500 Freestyle
1. Ryo Ueno (CRW) 5:14.28
2. Kyle McNeal (LM) 5:26.92
3. Eric Rousch (CRW) 5:57.99
200 Freestyle Relay
1. Washington (Jakob Kehoe, Nick Saulnier, Nick Durin, Josh Hughes) 1:34.30
2. Linn-Mar (Nate Greve, Duggan Trenary, John Roggendorf, Justin Arebaugh) 1:37.36
3. Washington (Sami Sheetz, Logan Barnes, John Kopec, Bradlee Birchansky) 1:38.91
100 Backstroke
1. Jared Thorson (CRW) 58.87
2. Logan Barnes (CRW) 1:00.08
3. Calvin Greve (LM) 1:00.39
100 Breaststroke
1. Josh Hughes (CRW) 1:04.80
2. John Kopec (CRW) 1:06.81
3. Nate Greve (LM) 1:06.82
400 Freestyle Relay
1. Washington (Nick Saulnier, Ryo Ueno, Logan Barnes, Jared Thorson) 3:32.87
2. Linn-Mar (Justin Arebaugh, Duggan Trenary, Calvin Greve, Kyle McNeal) 3:37.26
3. Washington (Sami Scheetz, Jakob Kehoe, Cameron Bentley, Eric Roush) 3:46.46
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
