Broadcasting Life

N.D. STATE BOYS SWIMMING MEET PREVIEW:
Grand Forks hopes for more surprises

KnightRiders' Kroll saving his best for last

By Brad Schlossman

Herald Staff Writer


Three teams held their breath during the last race at the East Region boys swimming meet.

The winner of the meet was to be decided in the 400 freestyle relay, the final race.

"It was very close," Grand Forks coach Brent Newman said. "It was one of the most exciting East Region meets in a while. I'm still recuperating from it."

The KnightRiders didn't end up winning the race or the meet. But the fact that they were in position to do so satisfied Newman. And for that, the KnightRiders can in part thank a surprising effort by junior Zerek Kroll.

Kroll's finish in the 200 freestyle helped the KnightRiders to a third-place finish, just 11 points behind first-place West Fargo and three behind Fargo South.

Kroll swam a season-best 1:53 in the 200 freestyle to place second.

"I was really jacked for it," said Kroll, who admitted his finish surprised him. "I just went out there and swam as fast as I could. It was exciting."

The main reason Kroll's finish was surprising was because he wasn't completely rested for the meet. Grand Forks' aim all season was to physically prepare swimmers for this weekend's North Dakota state meet - not the regional.

"We did not expect him to drop that much time," Newman said of Kroll, whose previous best in the event was 1:56. "That definitely helped us out. Now, this week, we're slowing down his pace a little bit and getting him rested."

Newman has told his athletes to pay attention to their times and not what place they finish in during a race. Kroll's goal this weekend at state in UND's Hyslop Sports Center is to cut three more seconds off his time and finish at 1:50.

"In the last month, he's really stepped up his training," Newman said. "He's really gotten his head into it.

"He really brings a lot to the team. He has a great sense of humor, and he really lightens up the mood. His easy-going attitude helps him in training."

Grand Forks hopes to finish in the top three at the state meet, which runs today and Saturday.

"That would be great if we finished third," Kroll said.

If the KnightRiders are to place in the top three, they could use more surprising performances. Jared Zygarlicke (100 butterfly, 100 backstroke) and Matt Finley (100 butterfly, 200 individual medley) both will be looking for top-eight finishes.

Grand Forks' three all-conference swimmers also will be looking for high finishes. Ian Peterson is ranked third in the 500 freestyle. Ty Nimens is seeded third in the 200 individual medley and also will be looking for a high finish in the 100 breaststroke.

And the KnightRiders' top hope to bring home a state title is Jake Gerszewski, who is the top seed in the 200 freestyle and second seed in the 100 backstroke.

"They are prepared to do well," Newman said. "The guys trained extremely hard this year. They really bought into what we're doing, and they know what they want to accomplish. I think the guys are ready for it."

Any more surprises, like Kroll's last weekend, are welcome.

"We would like to see that from all the guys," Newman said.