Wasilla boys rebuilding after making waves in 2008

WASILLA — Last season the Wasilla Warriors boys swimming and diving team made waves.

The Warriors swam to a Region III championship in 2008 and dove head first into a pool of Alaska’s swimming elite.

Wasilla was among contenders for the state title, and ultimately finished third in the state championships.

When all said and done, it was a fairly remarkable year for the Warriors.

Although a few pieces of the region-title winning puzzle remain, Wasilla head coach Matt Hanley expects to spend the 2009 season refashioning the fleet.

“Last year that boys team was super focused for regions and state. We went in all guns blazing. With a smaller team, having just a small group of big guns, we’re looking to start building,” Hanley said late last week. “Getting some cohesion, building some team momentum.”

Even though the Warriors are working to replace graduated seniors such as Charles Frey and Max Merriam, Wasilla will boast a few of the regions top swimmers.

Jeff Frey, the region champion in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle and the state runner-up in those events, is back.

“He’s looking strong,” Hanley said of Frey. “He had a great club season, and has chipped away at his times this year. He wants to show up big at state.”

Also returning is senior Christian Long, who captured region titles in the 200 and 500 freestyle last year.

Frey and Long are senior captains.

“They were two of the four horsemen last year,” Hanley said.

Hanley said he’s also excited about the work of seniors Dylan Spargo and Ben Fife.

On the girls’ side, senior captain Maddie Merriam leads a team that Hanley expects to have another strong showing at the region meet.

The Warriors finished third in the region last year. Even though the only Warrior to win a girls region title — diver Rachel Kennedy — is currently injured, Hanley feels Wasilla has a solid group of talent on the squad.

In addition to Merriam, the Warriors feature Karina Barriara, a transfer from Colony who should excel in the sprints, breast stroke and butterfly. The Warriors also have Brittany and Christine Shattuck.

Hanley also hopes Kennedy is able to return from her injury.

“I want to see another real strong region meet,” Hanley said of the WHS girls. “Last year they finished off regions better than they ever have before. I want to keep that momentum going.”

At Colony, head coach Dawn Brettrager has seen a record number of boys hit the water as part of the Knights swimming and diving team. Among those athletes is a senior who has already established himself as one of the best in the state.

Senior diver Alexander Deedy is currently ranked second in the 1-meter dive, Brettrager said.

“He’s definitely a contender,” Brettrager said.

Joining Deedy on the team is senior sprinter Nick Brunger.

Brettrager is also excited about a pair of underclassmen on the boys’ team — sophomore Chase Talbot and freshman Zane Miluer.

“Both Chase and Zane are right up there in the relays and sprints,” Brettrager said.

On the girls’ side, seniors Melody Miluer and Katelyn Payne lead a team that also includes some young talent.

Brettrager expects Miluer to be a versatile swimmer, while Payne — who missed much of last season due to injury — should be strong in the distance events.

Representing the youth of the squad are freshmen Hannah Loosli and Molly Sullivan. Brettrager calls both, “all-around swimmers.”

Colony finished fifth in the region in both the boys and girls classes last year.

Palmer may have one of the smaller teams, with about 25 swimmers, but head coach Kalea Myers is excited about the nucleus of her squad.

“We have a very strong core,” Myers said. “Very dedicated.”

Leading the team are senior captains Riley Newman, Irene Fry and Stacy Swindells.

Both Newman and Fry are expected to excel in the 50 and 100 freestyle. Newman should also stand out in the 100 breast stroke.

Swindells, a three-year letterman at PHS, will anchor the 200- and 400-yard freestyle relays, Myers said.

Myers is also excited about the potential of sophomore Spencer Bloom. During his freshman season, his first year of competitive swimming, Bloom reached the region finals in the 50 and 100 freestyle races. Myers expects Bloom to be right there again this season.

Palmer also features a promising group of sophomores, Myers said. Among those swimmers are Dylan Gette-King, Cleora Logan, Michaela Mafee, Emily Milowski and Kalila Sawyer.

The three Valley swimming squads will hit the road this weekend, traveling to Homer to compete in the Homer Invitational.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.