Washington Boys Swimming

Josh Hughes tops all-Metro swim team

Cedar Rapids Washington senior Josh Hughes, the state champion in the 500-yard freestyle this season, has been named the Athlete of the Year on the 2013 All-Metro Men's Swimming Team.

The Warriors placed eight swimmers on the first team with Nick Durin, Jakob Kehoe, John Kopec, Eric Roush, Nick Saulnier, Jared Thorson and Ryo Ueno joining Hughes on the top unit.

Linn-Mar claimed three first-team berths with Justin Arebaugh, Nate Greve and Duggan Trenary. Kennedy had two first-team picks with Chandler Heisler and Stefan Kitsos. Lance Scallon of Jefferson also made the honor squad.

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Hughes nabs 500 crown at state

MARSHALLTOWN – In his final meet after four years on the Cedar Rapids Washington varsity, Josh Hughes was not to be denied his first appearance on the top step of the awards platform at the state swimming championships.

Coming into Saturday’s competition at the Marshalltown YMCA, he was seeded second in both the 200 and 500-yard freestyle to freshman Aidan Keen of Iowa City West.

In last week’s blistering-fast district meet in Iowa City, Keen had beaten Hughes in each race with a couple of seconds to spare.

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Wash swimmers climb to 2nd in ratings

The Cedar Rapids Washington swimming team jumped from No.6 to No.2 in the state power ratings Sunday after their strong performance at the district meet on Saturday.

Coach Chris Cruise's confidence level also jumped several notches heading into the state meet this Saturday at the Marshalltown YMCA.

"Without a doubt," he said Sunday night. "We did some amazing things yesterday.

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Warriors claim 50th district title in a row

IOWA CITY – The last time the Cedar Rapids Washington boys did not win the district swimming championship John F. Kennedy was the President, a first class stamp had just been raised a penny to five cents and the Beatles were still an unknown British bar band.

They’ve captured the title for 50 years straight since 1964, capping the milestone Saturday afternoon with a decisive 114-point victory at the Mercer Park Aquatic Center.

“It’s quite an accomplishment,” said Warrior Coach Chris Cruise, who swam on four on those teams as a record-holder in the breaststroke and now has coached 15 of them. “And I’m just tickled to death for these kids. They swam an absolutely fantastic meet today.

“Each one of them came in with goals they wanted to meet. Not many missed them. And if they did, their times were off only by a very, very  small margin.”

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