Vikes outstanding at state

By Becky Walz,

Monday, February 12, 2024 12:51 pm

Representing the Decorah boys’ swim team at state over the weekend were (front, l-r) Dylan Hogan, Max Grimstad, Reid Kuehner; (middle) Ian Gidding, Mason Cote; (back) Dom Bigalk, Simon Kutz and Isaac Knaack. (submitted photo)

Four events had fans cheering for the Decorah boys’ swim team in Iowa City over the weekend as members competed in the state swim meet, posting season bests in all the events and improving on seedings.
“I am proud of how the boys responded at the state meet,” said Coach Loran Storts. “Overall, it was a great finish to a great season. We had our largest team ever, we had a lot of new swimmers this season that will return next swimmer, the future looks bright for Decorah boys’ swim team.”
Senior Isaac Knaack was the first Viking in the water Friday in the 100-yard backstroke prelims, finishing one second of his seed time in 54.82 seconds in 23rd place. In 47.92 seconds, it was Pleasant Valley senior Owen Chiles winning gold.
The 200-yard medley relay was the first in the water Saturday afternoon. Knaack, Mason Cote, Simon Kutz and Dylan Hogan combined for a time of 1:40.88 to finish 17th overall. Iowa City West posted the winning time of 1:30.31.
In 1:29.67, the 200-yard free relay broke the school record with the same quartet, finishing 16th. Winning the event in 1:22.95 was Pleasant Valley.
In 3:20.60, the foursome of Knaack, Dominc Bigalk, Cote and Kutz shaved off nearly four seconds of their seed time (3.24:53) and finished in 17th. Pleasant Valley won the event in 3:03.06.
Decorah will graduate a strong contingent of Bigalk, Cote, Hogan, Knaack, Kutz and Nathaniel Roberts.

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