Hernday named Hurricanes MVP

Tosa to lose seven senior swimmers

Feb. 29, 2012

Wauwatosa Hurricanes coach Heidi Goetsch had plenty of reasons to celebrate this year.

Goetsch handed out several team awards at the end-of-the-year banquet that went well beyond performance in the pool.

The Most Valuable Swimmer/Diver this season was Caleb Hernday.

"He was often found winning his events but his most valuable asset to the team was his drive," Goetsch said. "You could hear him push the other swimmers in practice and he mastered the great pep talks. These pep talks really helped lead the team to become closer and faster than ever before."

Peter Hovel and Hernday were the four-year letter winners.

The Hurricanes had four Scholar-Athletes who had a cumulative grade-point average above 3.8, topped off by John Kay with a 3.9. Stuart Vander Velde, Hovel and Alex Swenson were the others.

The Bob White Award for leadership and drive went to diver Tony Benz. The Most Improved swimmer was Vander Velde.

Tosa's season was highlighted by Benz, who made it to state in the 1-meter diving.

"Tony told me he was going to make it to state this year and he did," Goetsch said. "He represented the Tosa Hurricanes well at state.

"And 16 other Hurricanes made it to state to cheer him on. I don't believe any other team had that type of turnout. It just shows the character of our team.

As a team, the Hurricanes finished 4-2 in dual meets, but had several other highlights.

The 200-yard freestyle relay finished first at the Nicolet Invitational and for the second straight year the 100 freestyle relay won conference.

"With most of our boys fully tapered, we had an amazing meet," Goetsch said of conference. "I don't believe a single swimmer/diver left without a best time."

The Hurricanes also finished sixth in their own Bob White Invitational with the original Bob White cheering them on.

Then at sectionals, there were so many time drops.

"We had a few crazy ones," Goetsch said, "like Michael Siverling dropping from 5:32 to 5:19 in the 500 free, Alex Swenson dropping from 1:19 to 1:14 in the 100 breaststroke. I could go on and on.

"Over the season, at some point, everyone dropped time, which is ultimately the goal of every coach. Our expectations are to work hard, have fun and see times or dives improve. We succeeded as a team."

Goetsch will lose seven seniors to graduation - Hernday, Hovel, Kay, Stuart Vander Velde, Alex Swenson and Matt Walker

Returning juniors will be Benz, Max Brovarney, Sam Heirseman, Carl TJ Baker-Williams and Matthew Van Eerden.

Benz and Brovarney will be team captains next year.

Sophomores included Nick Freitas, Eddie Galindo, Edward Lei and Jonah Robison and the freshmen included Jack Lutz, Jake Falk, Noah Froh, David O'Keeffe, Steven Leubke, Kellen Moye and Siverling.

Recruiting is important for the Hurricanes as they increased their numbers from 17 to 22.

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