Gremlins swimmers close season with win
HOUGHTON — In their final swims before the U.P. Finals, the Houghton Gremlins swim teams wanted to close the season out strong.
Both teams did just that, with the girls defeating Ishpeming-Negaunee 100-61 and the boys winning 134-28 on Tuesday.
Looking back on the season afterwards, coach Erik Johnson fought back tears thinking about the efforts put forth by every swimmer this season.
“This by far has been one of the most unique seasons that I have ever been a part of, but the kids never cease to amaze me with the work they put in each and every day,” he said. “We are really looking forward to U.P. Finals being held in Marquette on March 12 and 13; one more chance for these kids to shine!”
On the girls’ side, Leah Komarzec won the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard butterfly. Other individual winners included Elli Wagner, who won the 200-yard individual medley, Eva Anderson, who won the 500-yard freestyle, and Cassandra Steffensen, who took the top spot in the 100-yard breaststroke.
Johnson was proud of the effort put forth by all of the girls Tuesday. Getting more strong swims from the leadership group of Anderson and Chloe Neves, both seniors, was a big part of the team’s success.
“On the girls side, we had a lot of kids dropping time,” he said. “It was our senior night, and we have five seniors this year who are all on the girls team. Eva Anderson and Chloe Neves are both captains this year, and have been with the program for all four years, so they will leave a big hole for us next year.”
Three more seniors who had an impact on the team were Emma Jenkins, Madison Thomas and Adele Dognon, who were also a part of building the culture that Johnson stresses as being so important year after year.
“Emma Jenkins, Madison Thomas and Adele Dognon are also leaving the program this year,” he said. “It is always an emotional night for them and the rest of the team. We always say it is a family, so it is hard to go through all those lasts with kids, but they all made a huge impact on the program and leave it in a better place than where it was.”
On the boys’ side, Archer Olson had a strong day with wins in the 200-yard individual medley and the 500-yard freestyle. Conner Holombo followed suit, winning the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard freestyle. Davin Evans was the third two-event winner, earning victories in the 100-yard butterfly and the 100-yard breaststroke.
Quinn Aho, who has been honing his diving skills all season, won again.
“On the boys side, Quinn Aho bested his previous school record in diving, so I’m excited to see what he can do at U.P. Finals,” Johnson said.
Ty Haataja won the 100-yard backstroke. Saar Bar-Ziv won the 200-yard freestyle.
On top of the wins, two more swimmers qualified for the U.P. Finals. Rhea Bar-Ziv, whose twin brother won the 200-yard freestyle, qualified next to him, which made for a special moment for both of the boys.
Oliver Anderson, a freshman, swam an impressive finals time in the 100-yard backstroke, shaving nearly six seconds off his seed time, which also earned him a trip to the U.P. Finals.
“We had two new qualifiers on the boys side, Rhea Bar-Ziv and Oliver Anderson,” said Johnson. “This was the last chance we had to get kids qualified, and they really stepped it up to make the cut. Rhea swam in the 200 free right next to his twin brother, Saar, so it was awesome to see Saar push Rhea to make that qualifying time.
“Oliver, who is a freshman, dropped almost six seconds in the backstroke to make the cut. Those were both some special swims and the whole team was so excited for each of them.”
Johnson, still fighting back tears of joy, expressed his utter joy at how hard each of his swimmers worked throughout the season.
“They all work hard towards a goal and the best part is watching them celebrate their teammates’ success like it is their own,” he said.
