Port is putting more people in the pool this swim season

By MITCH MAERSCH

Ozaukee Press staff

Fifth-year Port Washington High School boys’ swim coach Brittany Roecker likes this year’s numbers.

The Pirates have 17 members on the team.

“Our team numbers are up from the last two years. We can almost fill out an entire meet lineup, something we haven’t been able to do the past two years,” she said.

A newcomer is starring in that lineup. Freshman Charles Prince already broke a school record in the 100-yard breaststroke in the first meet of the season.

He finished in 1 minute, 2.74 seconds, beating the old mark of 1:04.

Roecker said she doesn’t think Prince is done putting his name in Port’s books.

“I believe by the end of the season Charles will have a few more records on the board,” she said.

Prince brings experience despite being a freshman.

“He has many years of club swimming under his belt and has been very successful  in the pool,” Roecker said. “He has had many accomplishments in club swimming, and has earned his way to swim at state and national-level competitions.”

The team’s captains are senior Jack Sickles and junior Tim Zein.

“They have stepped up to be leaders and motivators,” Roecker said.

The pair will help guide a range of talent.

“We have an array of swim abilities this year, from seasoned upperclassmen to swim club swimmers, to those brand new to the sport,” Roecker said.

“We are excited to see what everyone can accomplish. They all have positive attitudes. We have very coachable athletes, and  they seem to be excited to be a part of the team.”

Jim Ruth is back to help the junior varsity team for the second straight season after volunteering for a couple of years.

The Pirates have a special junior varsity coach.

Mark Minz coached Grafton’s varsity team for 20 years and was Port’s coach in the 1980s.

“Coach Minz has extensive knowledge in the sport,” Roecker said.

Cory Riel, a state qualifier last season, leads a trio of divers under longtime coach Dennis Hubert.

Port scored 36 points and finished last of eight teams at the North Shore Conference relays on Dec. 20.

Port’s highlight came in winning the 100-yard medley relay. Sickles, Prince, Finn Ritter and Zeien won in 53.59 seconds.

The 300 butterfly relay of Sickles, Ben Falkenberg, Ritter and Prince was third in 2:56.57.

The 500 freestyle relay of Zeien, Ritter, Sickles and Prince was fifth in 4:47.73, and the 100 freestyle relay of Addison Prellwitz, Craig Krueger, Maksym Kasiyanchuk and Noah Blavat was fifth in 1:00.29.

Whitefish Bay won with 83 points, followed by Homestead with 79.

Port swims at Cedarburg on Thursday, Jan. 5.