MINNEAPOLIS — The Prior Lake boys swim team went medal hunting at the state swimming and diving championships this past weekend, and they did not disappoint.
While Edina and Minnetonka took the top spots in the Class AA meet at the University of Minnesota, the Lakers left no doubt they belong among the state’s elite, capping off a year filled with record-shattering performances with a third-place finish.
Seven Lakers qualified for the state championship: Maddox Mork in diving, and Ethan Kosin, Owen Beaudette, Braxton Helmers, Jamey Solt, Griffin Leining and Matt Ondracek in swimming.
The highlight of the meet was the 200 medley relay team’s electrifying victory. Outracing teams from Minnetonka and Wayzata, the top qualifier in prelims, PL clinched their second straight state championship in the event, setting a new school record and achieving an automatic All-American time of 1:30.75. The roar from the Prior Lake faithful for Kosin, Beaudette, Leining and Helmers echoed through the University of Minnesota pool.
The record-breaking relays continued as Beaudette, Ondracek, Leining, and Solt blazed to a second-place finish in the 200 freestyle relay, setting a new school record of 1:24.29. The meet culminated with the 400 freestyle relay team of Solt, Leining, Ondracek, and Kosin delivering a stunning second-place finish and setting a new school record of 3:05.08, another automatic All-American time.
The individual performances were equally impressive. Kosin snagged a pair of second-place finishes. He was runner-up in the 100 backstroke after setting a new school record time of 48.21 in prelims, and his 20.42 seconds in the 50 freestyle was also a program best. Beaudette set a new PL record in 100 breaststroke at 56.59 in the prelims and went on to take fourth in the final, and added a seventh-place finish in the 50 free.
Other top finishes include third for Solt in the 200 free, fifth for Leining in the 100 butterfly, seventh for Solt in the 500 free, seventh for Helmers in the 200 individual medley and eighth for Mork in the 1 meter diving finals.
The final team result was bronze, but the journey to state was paved with gold. For a fourth consecutive year, the Lakers captured the South Suburban Conference title, maintaining their undefeated dual meet streak. At the section 2AA meet, the team displayed its depth, securing second place behind Minnetonka, with individual triumphs from Mork in diving and the powerhouse 200 medley relay team of Kosin, Beaudette, Leining, and Ondracek. Kosin also claimed victory in the 100 backstroke.
In total, the Lakers set seven new school records.
“This season has been truly special,” said head coach Joe Bollinger. “These athletes have poured their hearts and souls into this team, and their accomplishments speak for themselves. We’re incredibly proud of their dedication and the legacy they’ve created.”
