If Friday night was a litmus test for the new era of Prior Lake boys swimming, the results came back positive. 

But they certainly didn’t come easy.

In a clash between two of the South Suburban Conference’s premier programs, the Lakers went on the road and ground out a 98-87 victory over Eagan, moving to 1-0 on the young season.

This wasn’t just a dual meet. It was a statement. 

Facing a talented Wildcats roster, Prior Lake leaned on its heavy hitters to rewrite the Eagan record books, while a wave of young talent provided the depth necessary to secure the win.

Fast start, fast times 

The Lakers wasted no time setting the tone. The opening 200-yard medley relay team of senior captains Braxton Helmers and Owen Beaudette, junior captain Jamey Solt and junior Cameron Peterson shattered the Eagan pool record, touching the wall in a blistering 1:37.70.

That momentum carried into the individual events. J Solt commanded the 200-yard freestyle for a first-place finish, with teammate junior Connor Kelsey grinding out a fifth-place spot to add points.

Then, the youth movement arrived. In the 200-yard individual medley, eighth-grader Emmett Beaudette, Owen’s younger brother, took top honors followed by sophomore Alex Zheng in second. Seventh grader Jace Obleman chipped in with a fifth-place finish, showcasing the program’s bright future.

Owen Beaudette claimed the 50-yard freestyle, with eighth-grader Mason Zobrack showing poise beyond his years to take third. On the boards, junior Nikita Ginzburg kept the Lakers competitive with a third-place finish in diving.

The turning point 

As the meet progressed, the score remained tight. Helmers took the 100-yard butterfly (with Peterson in third). Zobrack (second), freshman Brady Shaban (fourth) and freshman Ethan Fisher (fifth) piled up critical depth points in the 100-yard freestyle. Solt returned to the water to dominate the 500-yard freestyle, with Kelsey taking fourth place.

But the pivotal moment of the night came in the 200-yard freestyle relay.

In a sport often defined by individual brilliance, this event was won by the pack. The quartet of Zobrack, Fisher, Shaban and Kelsey out-touched Eagan by a razor-thin 0.11 seconds. It was a gutsy performance that swung the momentum firmly back to the Lakers.

Record breakers 

With the lead in hand, the captains dropped the hammer.

Helmers returned to the pool for the 100-yard backstroke and put on a clinic, clocking at 52.01 to set a new Eagan pool record. Peterson followed him in second.

Not to be outdone, Owen Beaudette followed immediately in the 100-yard breaststroke, winning the event and etching his own name onto the Eagan record board with a time of 58.31. The younger Beaudette, Emmett, took fourth with Zheng in fifth.

The night concluded with the 400-yard freestyle relay team of Solt, Zobrack, Helmers and Owen Beaudette taking first place, putting the exclamation point on a hard-fought conference opener.

Up next 

The Lakers (1-0) return home to Hidden Oaks Pool on Dec. 12 to host Lakeville South. The first whistle is at 6 p.m.

For those unable to pack the pool deck, the meet will be live streamed at: https://gametimemn.com/pl-lakers-live/

Shawn Beaudette is a parent of two athletes for the Lakers boys swimming and diving team.