Muskego tops state powers at Metro

Muskego-Some of the top boys swimming programs in Wisconsin competed in the Metro Swim Officials Invitational at Homestead on Dec. 27, but Muskego topped them all.

The Warriors actually finished second with 361 points in the 16-team event, but they trailed only an out-of-state squad, Lake Forest (Ill.), which totaled 384½ points.

Among the teams they beat were powerful Hartland Arrowhead (third with 285 points), Woodland Conference powers Greendale/Greenfield (sixth with 195) and Shorewood (seventh with 153) and Homestead of the North Shore Conference (10th with 121).

In addition, Muskego won four events, led by two victories from Patrick Walsh. Only Lake Forest won more, with five first places.

Walsh prevailed in the 400 individual medley with 4 minutes, 16.98 seconds and the 200 butterfly at 1:58.52. Those two events are not usually run at the high school level, but this particular meet uses a college-oriented format.

Other firsts came from Jon Roberts in the 100 freestyle with 48.0 seconds and Joe Szczupakiewicz in the 500 freestyle at 4:49.27.

"Boy, we were outstanding," head coach Larry Milton said. "Patrick, Joe and Jon had good swims, but I was really impressed by our two freshmen, Ivan Couch and Drew Borland. Also, Joe Paquette, Thomas Stigler, Clayton Cesarz and Matt Gilson are really coming on."

Taking second for Muskego were Roberts in the 50 freestyle (22.14 seconds), Szczupakiewicz in the 1,000 freestyle (meet-record 9:38.66) and Stigler in the 200 breaststroke (2:19.28).

Claiming fourth were Stigler in the 100 breaststroke (1:03.63) and Paquette in the 200 individual medley (2:08.16).

Placing fifth were the 200 medley relay group of Szczupakiewicz, Stigler, Walsh and Roberts (1:42.29) and Gilson in the 100 backstroke (57.32). Capturing sixth were Gilson in the 200 backstroke (2:05.98), Cesarz in the 200 breaststroke (2:29.21) and the 200 freestyle unit of Roberts, Walsh, Stigler and Szczupakiewicz (1:32.82).

Coming in seventh were Couch in the 400 IM (5:03.31), Paquette in the 200 butterfly (2:09.06), Borland in the 1,000 freestyle (10:42.77) and Tyler Schrank in the 200 IM (2:14.06).

Borland snared eighth in the 200 butterfly (2:11.59).

"I am looking forward to the second half of our season," Milton said. "Let's hope they all stay healthy."

Muskego next participates in the Classic 8 Conference Relays today, Jan. 3, at Menomonee Falls, then the South Milwaukee Invitational this weekend.