Washington Boys Swimming

'Happy' Warriors swim to 2nd at state

MARSHALLTOWN – For the Washington swimmers at the boys state meet Saturday, losing never felt so good.

In finishing second to runaway winner Iowa City West, the Warriors exceeded all expectations.

“They are a great, great team,” Washington Coach Chris Cruise said afterward of the first-time state champion Trojans, “with some very talented swimmers.

“Coming in second to them feels like coming in first.”

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Warriors snag 51st district title in row

IOWA CITY - The guys who swim for Cedar Rapids Washington know how to pose for team pictures after winning a district title.

They snap into place, display their district banner and smile happily for the cameras.

It's in their blood.

The Warriors captured their 51st district title in a row Saturday at the Mercer Aquatic Center in Iowa City, a streak that began in 1964 before Coach Chris Cruise was born.

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Saulnier wins MVC swim title for Wash

CEDAR FALLS - Nick Saulnier likes to jump in the pool for a good workout before school starts in the morning, just like most swimmers, but the Cedar Rapids Washington sophomore has taken his routine to the extreme.

During the high school season, he practices with his teammates at Washington. But during the "offseason," he'll practice at the University of Iowa Aquatic Center with members of the Iowa Flyers Swim Club in the morning before returning to Washington for a full day of classes. He's done that twice a week during part of the school year, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

He'll return to Iowa City every day during the "offseason" to practice after school, Monday through Friday, and he'll also swim at the UI facility on Saturdays and Sundays.

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Warriors rounding into form for stretch run

It's that time of year when the Washington Warriors swimmers start to get serious.

The Mississippi Valley Conference meet is next week in Cedar Falls with the all-important district and state meets coming up on Feb. 8 and 15.

And even with somewhat of a make-shift lineup, the Warriors tuned up for what's ahead by turning in a fine showing Saturday in their own seven-team Jim Voss Invitational.

In a high-powered field with four teams ranked among the top 10 in the state, Washington came in a strong second behind higher-rated Bettendorf, but better than the West Des Moines Valley swimmers that had beaten them in a dual meet a week ago.

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