Minnetonka repeats as Class 2A boys' swimming champion

Just like last year, Minnetonka boys' swimming and diving coach Dan Berve found himself in the pool at the end of the state meet — in his shirt and tie.

The Skippers celebrated their first back-to-back state titles since 1996 and 1997. They won with 217.5 points, ahead of Shakopee (181) and Chanhassen (175) at the Class 2A boys' state swimming and diving finals Saturday at Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center at the University of Minnesota.

"Very different than last year," Berve said.

"We had a lot of first-timers this year. We had a lot of firsts in the meet last year … and we needed a lot of younger guys to step up, and they did."

Sophomore John Wargin took fourth in the 100 breaststroke. Sophomore Isaac Alberts swam on all three relay teams. Minnetonka took second in the 200 medley and 400-free relays, while winning the 200-free relay.

Senior John Shelstad won the 200 IM (1 minute, 48.92 seconds) and senior Erik Gessner won the 100 butterfly (48.75).

Chanhassen senior Jack Dahlgren set two state records, first recording the fastest time in the 200 free with a 1:35.39. He knew it would be a tough one after winning the 200-medley relay the event before.

Then he set the record in the 100 backstroke, a record he and North St. Paul swimmer Mitchell Whyte have traded.

Whyte set the record (48.10) in the prelims. Whyte knew if he wanted to win, he had to hit the 47-second mark.

Whyte hit 47.84, but Dahlgren won with 47.52.

"Then I did go a 47; he just went a faster one," Whyte said.

Lakeville North junior Andrew Trepanier finished as a runner-up in the 50 freestyle at state last year, but this time he touched first, in 20.46 seconds. He also won the 100 free, in 44.52.

"After losing the past two years, my main goal was to win, which I did," Trepanier said.

"In the 50, it comes down to how you prepare yourself before the race. I think I did a better job at that this year."

Prior Lake senior P.J. Lenz won the diving title with 467.05 points, beating runner-up Andy Pfau of Bloomington Jefferson, who scored 465.90 points.