XAVIERSWIM

By Alex Fox, Xavier junior

CEDAR RAPIDS  -  Junior John Richardson and sophomore Nick Durin represented Xavier High School at the district swim meet Feb. 4 at Jefferson High School, Richardson swimming for Kennedy and Durin  for  Washington.

Washington placed first at districts for the 49th year in a row. Kennedy finished in sixth place.

Richardson and Durin both qualified for the state meet, held Feb. 11 at the Marshalltown YMCA. Nine swimmers qualified from Kennedy, which had no qualifiers last year.

Kennedy’s Shaun Thomson was named the MVC Coach of the Year after making huge strides within the last 12 months.

Richardson qualified for the 200-meter medley relay with Brandon Holmes, Andy Hanson and Chandler Heisler, and in the 400  freestyle relay with Heisler,  Harrison Moore and  Dylan Casey. Richardson also was .02 second away from qualifying in the 100 backstroke.

Durin qualified for the 100 breaststroke and the 100 butterfly.

Richardson’s  medley relay squad placed 19th at state and his 400 free relay came in 20th. Durin placed 19th in the 100 butterfly, 21st in the 100breaststroke.

“It was a huge improvement from last year and I’m really proud of the way we were able to end the year,” Richardson said.

Washington got seventh at state as a team,  Kennedy ended up tied for 21st.

“It was an awesome experience for everyone and it was an absolute blast to build the team rotary,” Durin said.

John RichardsonXavier junior