A convincing win
Warriors keep Sartell from making a splash
An early season swimming and diving showdown between the Brainerd Warriors and the Sartell Sabres never quite materialized.
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The Warriors just didn't let it happen.
Both teams opened their seasons with convincing wins and were unbeaten in the Central Lakes Conference. The stage was set but the Warriors dominated from the first splash of the water, winning 10 events to capture a 103-79 win Thursday.
Brainerd eighth-grader Jared Anderson led the Warriors in the 100-yard breaststroke Thursday. Brainerd Dispatch/Clint Wood
In fact, Brainerd's best competition came against itself as the Warriors took the top two spots in five events. In one of the closest contested events, Nate Tyner beat teammate Jared Anderson by a second to win the 200-yard individual medley. Cody Thomsen won the diving competition by 1.5 points over teammate Aaron Thelen.
"We thought it'd be a little closer meet but it's so early in the year," Warriors coach John Zemke said. "You're never really sure what's going to happen. We're still trying to figure out where we want to have guys in certain places and certain events. It's a learning process right now."
One thing Zemke won't have to spend time figuring out is where to put his three horses. Andrew Mehr, Josiah Collins and Nate Tyner each won two events apiece to lead Brainerd.
Mehr won the 50 and 100 freestyles, Collins captured the 200 and 500 freestyles and Tyner won the 200 individual medley and the 100 butterfly.
"Those three spent a lot of time swimming with us last summer," Zemke said, "so we're expecting those things from them. Last year we were thinking, 'Well, maybe we can win this event or that one.' So far we have a pretty good idea that they're going to win, it's just a matter of what their times will be."
The 200 is a new event for Collins, who breezed to an easy win with a time of 1:56.84. Collins admits he's more used to long-distance swimming like in the 500.
Brainerd eighth-grader Jared Anderson led the Warriors in the 100-yard breaststroke Thursday. Brainerd Dispatch/Clint Wood
"That was the first time doing the 200 this season so I just wanted to get a starting place," Collins said. "I took it out pretty fast to see how long I could hold it. I really don't like the 200 because it's a sprint and you have to keep up a sprint. But it was all right."
One young up-and-coming swimmer is eighth-grader Jared Anderson. He placed second in the 200 IM and posted the fastest time in the 100 breaststroke, an event that was exhibitioned.
"Jared's got a lot of talent and he keeps working hard," said Zemke. "Every set we keep throwing at him he keeps getting after it. His breaststroke is very powerful. With his kick and his pull he can move a lot of water. He's an exciting swimmer to watch."
Brainerd 103, Sartell 79
200 medley relay -- 1-Brd. (Andrew Mehr, Jared Anderson, Brett Severson, Tim Lange) 1:49.04, 3-Brd. (Mike Stunek, Josh Ellens, Mike Brekken, Karl Magnuson) 2:05.4
200 freestyle -- 1-Josiah Collins (Brd) 1:56.84, 3-Jake Iten (Brd) 2:11.08, 5-Troy Viau (Brd)
200 individual medley -- 1-Nate Tyner (Brd) 2:18.53, 2-Anderson (Brd) 2:19.96, 6-Brekken (Brd)
50 freestyle -- 1-Mehr (Brd) 22.09, 2-Severson (Brd) 24.89, 6-Chris Thomsen (Brd)
Brainerd 103, Sartell 79
The key: Andrew Mehr, Josiah Collins and Nate Tyner each won two events to pace the Warriors.
Record: Brainerd 2-0 CLC, 2-0 overall
Next: Brainerd hosts Bemidji, 6 p.m. Tuesday
Diving -- 1-Cody Thomsen (Brd) 166.5, 2-Aaron Thelen (Brd) 165.0
100 butterfly -- 1-Tyner (Brd) 1:02.13, 2-Severson (Brd) 1:05.48, 5-Stunek (Brd)
100 freestyle -- 1-Mehr (Brd) 49.98, 2-Lange (Brd) 54.51, 4-Chris Thomsen (Brd)
500 freestyle -- 1-Collins (Brd) 5:23.59, 3-Iten (Brd) 5:57.42, 6-Troy Viau (Brd)
200 freestyle relay 1-Brd. (Mehr, Tyner, Severson, Collins) 1:37.03, 3-Brd. (Chris Thomsen, Magnuson, Thelen, Anderson) 1:44.24
100 backstroke -- 1-Lange (Brd) 1:06.24, 4-Stunek (Brd) 1:13.68, 5-Brekken (Brd)
100 breaststroke -- 1-Curt Klever (S) 1:11.52, Ex-Anderson (Brd) 1:20.89, Ex-Zach Schneider (Brd), Ex-Ellens (Brd)
400 freestyle relay -- 1-Sartell 3:52.45, Ex-Brd. (Lange, Tyner, Chris Thomsen, Collins) 3:45.67, Ex-Brd. (Iten, Viau, Stunek, Chris Dens) 4:13.47
Conference -- Brd. 2-0, S 1-1. Overall -- Brd. 2-0, S 1-1. Next meet -- Brainerd hosts Bemidji 6 p.m. Tues., Dec. 21.
TROY GUNDERSON can be reached at troy.gunderson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5865.