14 February 2012

Boys Swimming: Kirhmann, Carufel Missota champions; Tigers finish second

(top to bottom)
Christopher Kirchmann, 2 firsts, 2 seconds;
Evan Carufel first, sixth;
Aaron Lane 3 seconds, third;
Zach Holton 2 seconds, third, fifth




Christopher Kirchmann won the 50 and 100 freestyle races and Evan Carufel topped the one-meter diving leader board to help the Tigers to a second place finish at the Missota Conference Championships held Saturday, Feb. 11, in Northfield.

"We had some phenomenal swims and our depth was what kept us so close to first," Tiger coach Ryan Hamen said.

"We unfortunately were disqualified in the breaststroke and lost a backstroker due to illness so two possible swims did not earn any points. After reviewing those, we would have been a much closer second place."

Kirchmann had a big day for the Tigers, winning the two individual events and anchoring two second place relay teams (200 freestyle and 400 freestyle).

Carufel displayed his versatility by adding a sixth place finish in the 50 freestyle to his diving championship.

Aaron Lane racked up three seconds and a third, including runner-up finishes in the 200 individual medley and 100 backstroke. He also swam a leg on the 200 freestyle and the 200 medley relays.

Zach Holton had his fingerprints on four top-five finishes. He took third in the 100 butterfly and fifth in the 200 freestyle and also swam on the second place 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams.

Conner Kealy swam a leg on the both of the runner-up relay teams and also ranked eighth in the 100 freestyle and ninth in the 200 freestyle.

Nick Stephan was third in the 100 breaststroke, swam a leg on the third place 200 medley relay team and finished eighth in the 200 individual medley. Aaron Cochnauer scored third place points in the 200 individual medley and placed fourth in the 100 butterfly.

Cameron Molnmar turned in a trio of top ten finishes: sixth in the 50 freestyle and 500 freestyle and eighth in the 100 backstroke

Christian Bell and Tyler Lerbakken joined Lane and Stephan in the 200 medley relay. Lerbakken was ninth in the 100 butterfly.

Other top ten Farmington finishes:
200 freestyle: 10. Derek Anderson
100 butterfly: 7. Brandon Dion
100 backstroke: 10. Garrett Haugen
100 breaststroke: Spencer Kabran

With the conference meet now behind them the Tigers next turn their attention to the Section 1AA Championships scheduled for Feb. 23 and Feb. 25 in Rochester.

"I am real excited to get to sections," Hamen said. "The boys will start their end- of-the-season workouts in hopes they can feel and be stronger for their final races."