(Chelsea Update would like to thank Swim Coach Dave Jolly for the information in this story.)
On Saturday, Feb. 2, Chelsea High School Swim and Dive traveled to Battle Creek Lakeview to take on St. Joseph and Battle Creek and combine forces with Milan in what has been called the “East vs. West” meet.
However, St. Joesph was unable to make the meet because of poor weather conditions, so the Bulldogs swam a double dual meet against Battle Creek Lakeview and Milan High schools.
Chelsea was up to the challenge and got things off to a grand start as Chelsea’s A relay of Sam Almhiemid, David Alday, Max Lonnemo, and Nick Deppner won the event with a season best clocking of 1:42.77, which also puts the quartet as the fourth fastest 200 medley relay in the state.
Chelsea’s B relay was fourth as Jacob Hartman, Drew Deppner, Logan Simpson, and Will Wickens swam to a 1:49.87.
Many other quality performances were turned in during the course of the meet.
Ben Thoms went a season best in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:55.15 and finished fourth.
Austin Horn swam a season best in the 200 freestyle going 2:01.92 for ninth place.
David Alday swam a season best in the 200 IM going 1:59.9, which ranks him third overall currently in the state.
Jacob Hartman also swam a season and career best in the 200 IM going 2:08.59 which puts him currently 12th in the state.
Nick Deppner swam to a season best and a win in the 50 freestyle going a 22.75.
Will Wickens also swam a season best in the 50 freestyle clocking a 23.94.
Joey Smith and Jacob Burris both slated best scores in diving. At this meet the divers would perform a championship 11 dive list. Smith had a score of 366.40 and Burris had a 365.30. Sean Lyons also competed and performed well in the event, scoring 242.74
Nick Burris swam an impressive season best time in the 100 butterfly at 58.63.
Alday also won the 100 freestyle with a season best of 49.45
Jonny Mangner swam a season best in the 100 freestyle as well, touching the wall in 52.94.
All three 500 freestyle swimmers swam to season best times. Horn went a 5:22.37, Drew Deppner went 5:25.04, and Zach Ousley went 5:38.05.
Nick Deppner had a wonderful day, as he swam another season and career best in the 100 backstroke. Deppner swam strong for all four lengths of the pool and was excited to see a 55.83 on the board, which ranks him third in the state.
Jacob Hartman also had a career best in the event and his time of 57.87, also places him amongst the best the state.
Tom Olsen swam a season and career best in the 100 breast stroke at 1:07.07
The last event was the 400 freestyle relay and Nick Deppner, Sam Almhiemid, Nick Burris and Jacob Hartman all swam their hearts out – clocking a season best for the team at 3:24.77, which ranks them fourth overall in the state.
Go Nick and Drew Deppner! Your Auntie is proud of you!