Chelsea State Bank ad

Chelsea downs Dexter for SEC White Division swim crown

Courtesy photo.
Courtesy photo.

(Chelsea Update would like to thank swim coach Dave Jolly for the information in this story.)

The Chelsea Bulldog Swim and Dive Team captured its first SEC dual meet crown in 20 years last Thursday winning the final dual meet of the season against Dexter, 101-85.

Both teams entered the competition undefeated in dual meet competition with the championship at stake.

The Bulldogs started the meet with a set back as Dexter came out with a win in the 200 yard medley relay. It was a side-by-side race the entire way and Dexter touched out Chelsea by .4 seconds. Sam Almhiemid, Philipi Lopes, Max Lonnemo and Joey Mangner swam to a season best time of 1:40.95.

As has been the case though, Chelsea’s depth shined through again as the B relay team of Jacob Hartman, Drew Deppner, Lee Argir and Carter Engler took 3rd place honors keeping the damage to a minimum. The quartet stopped the clock at 1:46.61 some 3 seconds ahead of Dexter’s B relay.

“Dexter has had a tremendous middle distance group all season,” said coach Dave Jolly.

“We had to keep the meet close in the 200 yard freestyle with top notch performances,” he said.

Top performances were exactly what Chelsea received as Aunic Goodin and Ben Thoms rose to the occasion. Goodin swam a season best in the event at 1:51.26 and Thoms was close behind at his best time of 1:51.44 to take 3rd and 4th respectively.

Chelsea was down 19-11 going into the 200 yard IM and would need quality performances from the crew to turn the meet.

David Alday made special things happen as he clocked his best time of the season at 1:59.07 to take the win. Jacob Hartman also came ready to swim as he also swam a season best of 2:06.54 to take 4th place and Sam Almhiemid gained a valuable point taking 5th place with his time of 2:07.78.

The lead was shrunk to 26-20 going into the 50 yard freestyle.

Freshman Joey Mangner swam lights out as he won the event in an event loaded with talent on both sides. “It was like watching a wall of speed going down and back,” Jolly said, referring to his talented sprinters.

Mangner swam a 22.83 to capture the win, but once again Chelsea depth sprang forth as Jonny Mangner and Carter Engler went 3rd and forth in the event with times of 23.11 and 23.50, respectively.

The meet was now tied going into the 1 meter diving competition, 31-31

Jake Burris and Joe Smith once again proved why they are the divers to beat at this year’s state championships. Burris trailing in the event after the first five rounds, stuck his final dive to take the win with a score of 249.60 points. Smith was 3rd with a score of 236.50 points. Once again, depth was the key as freshman Jordan Smith took 4th place honors with a score of 185.55 points.

“Our divers have been a key to our success all season and once again came through huge for us tonight,” Jolly said. “These three guys will be crucial as we make the drive to Holland in a few weeks at the state championships.”

Chelsea took the lead for the first time in the meet,42-36. A lead they would keep for the rest of the meet.

Freshman Lee Argir swam the race of the season with a career best in the 100 yard butterfly shocking all in attendance.  Argir took 2nd place with a time of 56.67, which qualified him for this year’s state championship. It also moved him into the top 14 ranking state wide.

Max Lonnemo was also impressive swimming his own career best of 57.09 taking 3rd place honors. “The event was supposed to be a big event for the Dreadnaughts, but these two swimmers made special things happen when the team needed it most,” the coach said.

Chelsea still held the lead, 49-45, going into the 100 yard freestyle.

Alday would not be denied again as the super star senior blasted to a 48.84 to win the event. “David is a special athlete with talent unlike anything I have ever had the privilege to coach,” the coach said of his senior co-captain.

Another one of Chelsea’s seniors seized the moment as well. Jonny Mangner swam a career best 50.25 in the event taking 2nd place showing Chelsea’s dominance. Joey Mangner also got in on the scoring taking 5th place overall with a solid time of 50.94.

Chelsea now had jumped out to a 60-50 lead and was in control of the meet.

Ben Thoms had his best meet of the year as he earned 2nd place in the 500 yard freestyle with a season best time of 5:01.05. Philipi Lopes took 3rd place honors at 5:04.73 and Aunic Goodin also scored valuable points taking 5th place overall at 5:11.48.

The lead was still 10 points going into the sprint relays.

Chelsea’s 200 yard freestyle relay crew had been dominant all season and they were up to the task again.  Alday, Jonny Mangner, Carter Engler and Joey Mangner went a season best of 1:30.62 to take the win. The B relay nearly pulled off the biggest upset of the evening just missing 2nd place. Max Lonnemo, Lee Argir, Zach Lee and Aunic Goodin swam a tremendous 1:34.40 to take 3rd place and extend Chelsea’s lead going into the last events of the evening.

Chelsea now held a 78-62 lead.

Jacob Hartman was the next highlight for the Bulldogs as the junior swam a career best in the 100 yard backstroke to take 2nd place at 55.54. “Hartman is a special swimmer,” the coach said. “He has amazed me time and time again in big meet situations. Tonight was no different.”

Almhiemid scored 4th place points as he stopped the clock at 55.82 and Kurt Jolly touched in 5th place taking the last point for the event at 1:01.61.

Dexter cut into Chelsea’s lead going into the 100 yard breastroke, 85-71.

Chelsea sent Philipi Lopes to the blocks in the 100 yard breastroke and he led most of the way but was touched out at the end to take 2nd place in 1:03.13. Drew Deppner also scored in the event taking 4th place overall with a time of 1:09.99.

Chelsea’s lead was cut to 10 points going into the 400 yard freestyle relay. Chelsea had to take no worse than 2nd in the event to secure the win. Dexter’s coach had no choice but to split his relay strength and hope for a miracle of going first and 2nd in the event.

Chelsea’s sprinters once again rose to the occasion and solidified the win with a 1st and 3rd place showing. Alday, Jonny Mangner, Jacob Hartman, and Sam Almhiemid blasted to a season best 3:21.98 to take the win. The B relay also swam lights out as Carter Engler led the way with a state cut 100 lead off of 50.87. Max Lonnemo, Aunic Goodin and Philipi Lopes finished off the quartet missing 2nd place by .1 seconds at 3:23.45.

The crowd erupted as the teams finished one of the most memorable meets in team history. The final score was announced and the drought was over.

Chelsea’s next challenge will now come this weekend as they once again will be in competition at this year’s SEC Championships.

Dexter will be hosting this year’s event and it promises to be yet another exciting and well fought contest.

Please enjoy the slideshow of courtesy photos below.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

1 thought on “Chelsea downs Dexter for SEC White Division swim crown”

Comments are closed.