Young swimming and diving team on right track

DETROIT LAKES - They've come a long way.

After not being able to swim the length of the pool on the first day of practice for the Detroit Lakes boys' swimming and diving team, several of the young, first-time swimmers could swim basically every event by the end of the season.

DL head coach Rian Heimark was more than pleased with the development of his young team, which points to many good things to come in the future.

"We had six new swimmers who couldn't swim the 25 yards to cross the pool on the first day," Heimark said. "By the end of the season, all of the first-timers had no problem completing the workouts. I could even put them in the 500 freestyle and they all could complete it."

There were six new swimmers added to this year's team and all made their contributions.

The squad also had its experienced swimmer and divers -- albeit still young.

The Lakers had two seniors in Ben VanOffelen and Will Bedford, with each posting personal best times at the section meet.

"Ben made huge leaps and bounds towards the end of the year and Will, as a sprinter, placed in the top 16 at sections, even though he was a first-time swimmer last year," Heimark said.

DL does return its top five point scorers and the top two Heimark will have for four more seasons.

Eighth graders Quillan Oak and Brandon Olson were the top two point scorers, followed by freshman state diver Jon Melgaard and juniors Michael Bogda and Matt Weiss.

"Most importantly, we have our new swimmers up to pace and on track, so next year we can hit the season running," Heimark said. "We can start off the season right next year."

The team had 19 swimmers and divers and Heimark hopes to build on that number.

"I'll take that growth we had this year in numbers and hopefully draw in more next season," the DL coach included.

Although DL had only one state qualifier, the season was a success in learning, while having some unexpected surprises from their younger swimmers and divers.

"We definitely have some good prospects and overall, we should have more success, especially if we can pull in more numbers," Heimark said. "We'll have two seniors (next year) in Michael Bogda and Matt Weiss, who both want to improve, and they are working hard."

It was a year of progress and advancement on building for the Lakers.