Swimming state meet: Kiel is ready to test his med-, uh, mettle

Swimming in Rochester is not necessarily toiling in obscurity, but metro swimming buffs might want to make a trip to the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center for the boys' swimming and diving state meet, which takes place today and tomorrow, to check out a possible future Olympian.

Rochester Century junior Brian Kiel has been making waves in the prep swim world all season, posting times that not only make him the fastest swimmer in the state, but also one of the fastest in the nation.

His top time in the 200-yard individual medley -- Kiel's signature event -- is 1 minute, 48.65 seconds, set last week in the Class 2A, Section 1 meet. That's less than one second off the state-meet record. And while Kiel says that setting a new meet record is something he's shooting for, it's not his primary goal.

"I'm going for the national record," he said. "It was 1:46.3 -- I think it was broken recently but it hasn't been officially posted yet. But 1:46.3 is my goal. And the U's pool is really fast, so I think I've got a great chance."

Others might scoff at such bravado, but Kiel's coach, Dale Magnuson, knows better.

"In our second meet of the season, Brian went out and told me that he was going to break 1:50 in the 200 IM," Magnuson said. "I turned to our other coach and said 'Yeah, right. It's the second meet of the season.' And then he went out and did it. I don't doubt him anymore. If he tells me he's going to do something, he goes out and does it."

Kiel also has qualified for the 100 backstroke, again with the state's best qualifying time, and will be swimming on two relays for Century. There's a strong chance he could end up winning all three of those events, which would help Century's lofty team aspirations as well. But the 200 IM is his focus, the one where he expect to make a national ripple.

"He's an elite swimmer," Magnuson said. "He know what he wants, and he's got the dedication and work ethic to get it. I swam with [St. Thomas Academy's] Tom Malchow and he swam in the Olympics. I definitely see Brian as being a part of the 2012 Olympic team. He's that kind of athlete."

Much attention was paid to Michael Phelps' remarkable Olympic performance in Beijing last summer. Pictures of Phelps, combined with his record-setting results, have made the demand for the high-tech suits he wore skyrocket.

The suits, which come in three styles -- jammers (which come to the knee), full leg and full-body -- certainly are effective. They compress the muscles, enhance buoyancy and significantly reduce drag in the water.

But there are drawbacks. The full-body suits, such as the Speedo LZR, can cost more $500. And, because of the nature of the material, the suits do not last long. High-tech suits frequently lose their elasticity, and thus their effectiveness, after only a few meets.

"But all of the good swimmers still wear them," Magnusson said. "I thought cost would make a difference, but I'm seeing kids show up at meets with two or three of them."

For all of their technical advantages, most agree that the biggest plus in wearing them is the mental edge they give swimmers.

"It's mostly about confidence," said Breck/Blake junior Nathan Yueh, the defending Class 1A 500 freestyle champion. "It gets you really pumped up wearing a racing suit. Most guys save them for the big meets."

Edina, the 2008 Class 2A champion, and St. Thomas Academy, which has won four Class 1A titles in a row, have been ranked No. 1 in their respective classes all season.

Edina could face its biggest challenge from Classic Lake Conference rival Minnetonka. The Hornets narrowly defeated the Skippers in the Section 6 meet.

Blake/Breck could pose the biggest challenge to St. Thomas Academy's shot for its 10th state title in the past 11 years. Blake/Breck tied St. Thomas Academy in a dual meet earlier this season.