STATE SWIMMING: Viking boys out to defend title

COEUR d'ALENE - One question dominates the landscape in today's state swim meet at the Boise West YMCA.

Can the Coeur d'Alene High boys repeat as state champions?

The answer, according to Vikings coach Rich Swoboda, is yes.

Riding on the backs of - or really, the arms and legs of - Kyle Jone, Kade Hern, Beau Urbaniak and Ethan Cordes, Coeur d'Alene brought another loaded team to Boise for today's finals.

"We have four kids who can probably finish in the finals (top 16) in their events, which is pretty phenomenal," Swoboda said. "Most schools are trying to get one in there."

In last Saturday's North Idaho district swim meet at the Kroc Center, Jones broke a 15-year-old school record in the 200 individual medley event, with a time of 1:57.36, while also winning the 100 backstroke (54.59). Hern was second in the 100 breaststroke (1:02.75) and 200 IM (2:03.89), Urbaniak won the 200 free (1:48.44) and Cordes took home wins in the 100 butterfly (53.89) and the 50 free (21.83).

"Kyle, Kade, Beau and Ethan all had standout performances," Swoboda said. "I've got a lot of work to do in where I'm going to put those kids. They have multiple events where they can finish in the top in the state in. So our relays are really strong, we have multiple options. It's a good problem to have. We have a very full team. Most of these kids are going to be in the top 16."

Swoboda said Idaho Falls, who Coeur d'Alene swam against and finished ahead of in a meet earlier this season, should challenge the Vikings for the title.

Coeur d'Alene girls team, which finished fourth last season at state, bring nine swimmers, including Nicole Rozier, who broke a school record in the 100 breaststroke (1:07.41) at regionals.

"The girls are going to go down there and try to swim personal bests," Swoboda said. "We always try to finish in the top 10. We're hoping for a top eight finish from the girls."

Wood River of Hailey and Boise High, last season's runner-up, will challenge for the girls title, according to Swoboda.

Post Falls will bring 20 swimmers to the state meet, including Maggie deTar, who set a district meet record by winning the 200 free (1:56.07).

"My freshmen are sensational, my boys are taking off 10 to 15 seconds off their time," Post Falls coach Maria Portue said." Dylan Anderson, I'm taking him to state with me because he dropped more than 15 seconds in his 100 freestyle."

Lake City brings 28 swimmers to the state meet, including 16 girls.