IAC BOYS SWIMMING: ATANASOFF HITS STATE STANDARD IN TWO EVENTS IN FIRST MEET OF SEASON; WAVERLY THUMPS DRYDEN, 140-31 (18 PHOTOS) (2019-12-05)

Valley Sports Report
WAVERLY - Senior Mike Atanasoff, a state qualifier in two events last year, picked up right where he left in Waverly's first meet Thursday, beating the state standard in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle sprints to lead the Wolverines' 140-31 season-opening win over Dryden here in IAC boys swimming action.

The Wolverines won every event, paced by four-time winners Atanasoff, junior Collin Keefer, and sophomore Kaden Wheeler. Senior Josh Lee, and juniors Ryan Bennett and Max Pan were double-winners.

Atanasoff won the 50-yard freestyle in a time of 21.85 seconds, which is the fastest time in the State two weeks into the season. Bennett finished second in a personal-best time of 23.83 seconds, and Lee was third in a personal-best time of 25.77 seconds. Senior Brandon Clark, swimming in exhibition, posted a personal-best time of 26.77 seconds.

Atanasoff also won the 100-yard freestyle in a time of 48.67 seconds, which is the second-fastest time in the State this season. Bennett was second in 54.9 seconds.

Atanasoff teamed with Keefer, Bennett, and Lee  to win the 200-yard freestyle relay in a time of 1:40.28, while the Waverly foursome of junior Dillon Madigan, freshman Ryan Clark, freshman Oscar Williams, and senior Brandon Clark was second in 1:50.52.

Atanasoff also teamed with Wheeler, Keefer, and senior Nick Janzen teamed to win the meet-closing 400-yard freestyle relay in a time of 3:49.4. It was Janzen's first varsity win. The Wolverine quartet of Williams, Ryan Clark, 8th-grader Liam Wright, and Madigan was second in 4:19.38.

Keefer won the 200-yard IM in a time of 2:26.44, and Wright was second in 2:41.69.

Keefer also led a sweep in the 500-yard freestyle in a time of 5:41.51, while Williams was second in a personal-best time of 5:53.39, and Wright was third in a personal-best time of 6:13.85.

Wheeler won the 100-yard butterfly in a time of 58.49 seconds, and Janzen was second in 1:14.31.

Wheeler also led a sweep in the 100-yard backstroke in a time of 1:02.85, while freshman Jarell Sackett was second in 1:13.45, and senior Gage Streeter was third in 1:21.65.

Wheeler, junior Max Pan, Bennett, and Lee teamed to win the 200-yard medley relay in a time of 1:56.98. It was Pan's first varsity win. The Waverly foursome of Sackett, Wright, Janzen and Brandon Clark finished second in a time of 2:08.01.

Williams led a sweep in the 200-yard freestyle in a time of 2:10.25, while Madigan was second in 2:11.48, and Clark was third in 2:19.0.

Pan won the 100-yard breaststroke in a time of 1:17.35, and Ryan Clark was third in 1:22.1.

Streeter won the 1-meter diving competition with a score of 212 points, and Sackett was second with 98 points.

Waverly returns to action Monday when it hosts Athens. The meet was originally scheduled for Friday.

"”"”"”"”"”"”"”

IN PHOTO 1: Waverly's Collin Keefer. ... PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.