In high school sports, dynasties are fragile things.
Graduation is the great equalizer. Rosters turn over. Windows of opportunity usually close as quickly as they open.
Don’t tell that to the Prior Lake boys’ swim and dive team.
The Lakers hit the water last week to officially kick off their 2025-26 campaign, carrying baggage that most programs would kill for: five consecutive South Suburban Conference championships and three straight third-place finishes at the Class AA State Meet.
As the lane lines go in and the chlorine settles, the goal for this winter is clear: they want a sixth banner. And while the expectations on the pool deck remain immovable, the voices leading the charge have changed.
The program enters the season under the guidance of an entirely new coaching staff led by head coach Sam Kendall. While new to the Laker helm, Kendall is a veteran of the Minnesota swimming circuit, bringing seven years of high school head coaching experience from stops at Eden Prairie, Farmington and East Ridge alongside two years of club coaching with South Metro Storm.
He is joined by new diving coach Marla Reuvers and two assistants who need no introduction to the local faithful: Jaden Chant and Nick Archambault.
“Both my assistant coaches are not long out of college and are both alumni of the program,” Kendall said. “Nick and Jaden bring a young, but fresh, wave of coaching to the program, and I know they will be a perfect fit.”
A Balanced Attack
A new coach often has to rebuild. Kendall, however, has been handed the keys to a Ferrari.
The Lakers are led by a formidable quartet of captains: seniors Owen Beaudette, Braxton Helmers and Michael Kelch, along with junior Jamey Solt.
This isn’t just a leadership group. It’s a production group. Beaudette, Helmers and Solt are all returning state podium finishers who were instrumental in last year’s bronze-medal team finish.
For Kendall, the roster construction offers a unique luxury—a blend of battle-tested veterans and hungry newcomers.
“I’m very excited to work with a balanced group,” Kendall noted. “We have a great young core that has very high potential in the coming years. In that same breath, we have a group that is ready to do great things right now at the top. It will be fun navigating both sides of the coin and helping everyone achieve their goals.”
The Grind Begins
The Lakers won’t have to wait long to see where they stack up. The team held an intra-squad mock meet Dec. 2 to shake off the rust before traveling to Eagan on Dec. 5 for their first South Suburban Conference dual meet of the season.
The conference is never a cakewalk, and keeping a five-year streak alive puts a target on your back.
“I would like to win the conference again,” Kendall said, acknowledging the road ahead. “There are some very talented teams that will make for a good challenge for this group. This group will be up to the challenge.”
Beyond the conference duals lies the ultimate prize in late February at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center. For the senior captains, specifically those looking to replicate their podium success, the clock is officially ticking.
“I would love to help some of our heavy hitters place as high as they can at state,” Kendall added. “It’s the last ride for a couple of them, and they will be in the thick of it come the end of February.”
Shawn Beaudette is a parent of two athletes on the Lakers boys swimming and diving team.
Correction: A previous version of this article referred to Shawn Beaudette as a coach for the swimming and diving team. Beaudette is a parent of two athletes.
