All-Missota Conference in 2010-11
Coach Ryan Hamen and his Tiger swimmers and divers have a tough act to follow.
Last year Farmington put together its best season ever, claiming both the Missota Conference and Section 1AA True Team titles, winning a state individual diving title, establishing six new school records and qualifying six entrants for the Class AA state meet.
Five members of that team graduated last spring, including state champion diver Tyler Magalis and all-state swimmer Brian Huls, but Hamen seems confident his 2011-12 squad is ready to pick up where last year's team left off.
"We continue to have depth in all four strokes," he said, "and many of our athletes have the desire to be part of that depth in big meets.
"Our captains are driven and motivate in different ways and we have two experienced assistant coaches who will add their expertise in developing our athletes."
Hamen returns 16 letterwinners from last year's championship season, including senior captains Connor Kealy, Zach Holton and Derek Anderson.
Underclassmen returnees include juniors Cameron Molnar, Tyler Lerbakken, Christopher Kirchmann, Mitch Haugen, Benjamin Cohoon, Aaron Cochnauer and Evan Carufel; sophomores Nick Stephan, Eric Schimmel, Brandon Dion and David Bovee and freshmen Garrett Haugen and Jonathan Bovee.
Holton and Kirchmann were all-Missota Conference selections last season. Carufel received all-league honorable mention and Lerbakken was tabbed the team's Most Improved swimmer.
Newcomers expected to contribute to the 2011-12 effort include seniors Andrew Morris, Clark Coffey, Devin Widmer; juniors Brad Dow, Christian Bell, Dalton Bell and Pat Shae; sophomores Spencer Kabran, Sean Dogherty, Greg Schmaus and Alex Garofolo.
"We have a lot of new swimmers who I am excited to see develop," Hamen said. "They take a lot of time to work with but if they have the determination, they will do well."
Hamen is joined by two new assistants this winter, Phil Weix and John Tegg (diving).
The Tigers open their season Saturday, Dec. 10, with an appearance at the Prior Lake Invitational.
