By Becky Walz,
Graduating just two seniors, the Decorah swimmers have youth and experience on their side this season.
With three seniors this season, the squad returns 12 letter winners and look to be poised to do big things in the water this season.
Leading the squad is Head Coach Laura Storlie, who is starting her sixth season with the Vikings. Joining Storlie poolside as her assistant will be Decorah alum Maddie Putnam.
Gaining experience
The Vikings of 2020-21 had a strong core of swimmers with 17 total on the team, including nine freshmen. Leading the way were two seniors — Gus Grimstad and Ryan Lubahn.
Using their experience to their advantage, the Vikings raced through the regular season posting strong times.
Everything came together once again at the North Central Conference swim meet as Decorah claimed its third-straight title by nearly 100 points. Grimstad and Drew Chamberlain each won gold for the Vikings.
At the district meet, the Vikings finished fourth and sent six events on to state. The 200 medley and 400 relays of Chamberlain, Isaac Knaack, Grimstad and Lubahn punched tickets to state, along with Grimstad in the 200 IM and 100 fly and Chamberlain in the 200 free and 500 free.
Getting the chance to compete at state, Decorah saw Grimstad medal in both of his events, finishing fourth in the 100 fly and eighth in the 200 IM. The 200 medley relay ended the meet in 15th in 1:40.13, while the 400 free relay posted a time of 3:23.38 to early 21st. On his own, Chamberlain finished 27th in the 200 free and 31st in the 500 free.
Coming back strong
The Vikings should be strong again this year, with the bulk of the team juniors and/or letter winners.
At the top of the list is senior Drew Chamberlain; juniors Quinn Baumann, Adam Jones, John Starrett, Gareth Sweet, James VanderVelden; sophomores Mason Cote, Isaac Ericson, Dylan Hogan, Isaac Knaack, Simon Kutz, and Nathaniel Roberts.
Coach Storlie is looking for a host of newcomers to add to the past success of the team. Included in that list are seniors Hogan Smith and August Witt; sophomore Doug Bently; and freshmen Oliver Brummel, Sean Brumm, Davis Coppola, Tommy Hammel, Landyn Hook, Reid Kuehner and Ezra Vorvick.
Looking to the future
“I’m very excited to see what we can do with a larger team and lot of new faces,” said Coach Storlie. “We are starting out strong and plan to continue to grow throughout the season. The team has a lot of energy, potential and drive in which to work with.”
Among the veteran coach’s concerns is the fact that Coach Storlie is due to have a baby mid-season. She also points out that there is a larger range of abilities on the team which provides new concerns the team hasn’t previously had to deal with.
The lone home swim meet of the year is Friday, Dec. 17, at the Luther pool, beginning at 6 p.m.
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