IAC BOYS SWIMMING: WAVERLY WINS 39TH STRAIGHT; TOPS LANSING, 125-55 (24 PHOTOS) (2020-01-16)
Valley Sports ReportWAVERLY "” On a night when Waverly honored senior Mike Atanasoff and junior Collin Keefer for milestone career wins, the Wolverines rolled to their 39th consecutive win in a 125-55 decision over Lansing here Thursday in IAC boys swimming action.
Atanasoff, junior Ryan Bennett, and sophomore Kaden Wheeler were quad-winners for Waverly, which improves to 9-0 on the season, while Keefer was a triple-winner, and freshman Oscar Williams was a double-winner.
During the break for diving, Atanasoff was presented a plaque for his 200th career win, and Keefer was honored for his 100th career win.
"Mike has come a long way from 7th-grade when he basically swimming with his head out of the water to being the fastest guy in the state - that's pretty impressive," said longtime Waverly coach Dave Mastrantuono.
"He's gone to Michigan each of the last two summers to train with a national powerhouse, which shows his level of dedication," he noted. "He has gone above and beyond.
"We couldn't be more proud of where he's at now.
"And, Collin was the only four-time Section IV, Class C champ last year," added Mastrantuono. "He's really come a long way, too, and we're very proud of him as well."
Atanasoff becomes the eighth member of the 200-win club at Waverly, joining Jeff Mastrantuono, Josh Mastrantuono, Pat Fell, Ben Fell, Josh Hogan, Sam Hogan, and John Hallett.
Atanasoff won the 100-yard butterfly in a time of 55.73 seconds, and Williams was third in 1:09.9. Atanasoff also won the 100-yard breaststroke in a time of 1:09.91, and junior Max Pan was third in 1:20.89.
Bennett won the 200-yard freestyle in a time of 2:02.31, and Williams was third in 2:04.44. Bennett also won the 50-yard freestyle in 24.2 seconds, and senior Josh Lee was second in 24.53 seconds.
Wheeler won the 100-yard backstroke in a time of 1:00.89, and freshman Jerrell Sackett was third in 1:10.11. Wheeler also won the 200-yard IM in a time of 2:13.01.
Atanasoff, Wheeler, Bennett, and freshman Ryan Clark won the 200-yard medley relay in a time of 1:53.43.
Atanasoff, Bennett, Lee, and Williams teamed to win the 200-yard freestyle relay in a time of 1:38.04.
Wheeler and Keefer teamed with senior Brandon Clark, and Williams combined to win the 400-yard freestyle relay in a time of 3:49.33.
Keefer won the 500-yard freestyle in a time of 5:47.06, and 8th-grader Liam Wright was second in 5:58.11.
Senior Gage Streeter won the 1-meter diving competition with 242 points, and Sackett was second with 154.1 points.
Brandon Clark was second in the 100-yard freestyle in 56.22 seconds, and Keefer was third in 58.79 seconds.
Waverly returns to action Jan. 24 at Odessa-Montour.
MODIFIED
Brayden Hurd and Riley Pipher registered Waverly's wins in the modified meet, which was not scored.
Hurd won the 50-yard freestyle in a time of 35.36 seconds, and Paxton Grover was second in 39.3 seconds. Hurd finished second in the 100-yard freestyle in a time of 1:33.92, and Paxton was third in 1:38.57.
Pipher won the 1-meter diving competition with 99.45 points. He also finished second in the 200-yard freestyle in a time of 3:20.65.
The foursome of Hurd, Grover, Jason Marrone, and Benjamin Norton-Lantz finished second in the 200-yard freestyle relay in a time of 2:44.65.
Emanuel Miles finished third in the 50-yard backstroke in a time of 54.97 seconds.
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IN PHOTO 1: Waverly senior Mike Atanasoff is flanked by assistant coach Kyle Acklund (left) and Dave Mastrantuono. ... PHOTOS 1-16 of varsity meet - PHOTOS 17-24 of modified meet. ... PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
