Defending Champion Hornets Still Undefeated in Michigan Pools

Saline’s defending champion boys' swim and dive team remained undefeated in the state after picking up easy wins over Chelsea and host Ann Arbor Skyline Thursday night.

Saline defeated Chelsea, 147-39, and dunked Skyline, 143-44.

Coach Todd Brunty said his team continues to round into shape for the state tournament.

“We’re in a difficult part of the schedule. It’s a challenge to stay focused on doing all you can do to be your best with every splash into the pool,” Brunty said. “We’ve got some things we need to work on, and we need to stay into it, mentally. And I think we’re doing that. I’m proud of the way the kids are swimming.”

It was yet another dominating day for the Hornets in the swimming events. Not only did Saline win all three relays, they finished 1-2 in two of the events, and placed first, third and fifth in the other.

Individually, the Hornets took first place in seven different events, including 1-2-3 finishes in the 200-yard free style event, the 200-yard individual medley, the 100-yard freestyle and the 500-yard freestyle. And in the 100-yard backstroke, Saline swimmers took the top five places.

Sophomore Adam Whitener had another big night. He won the 200-yard individual medley and the 100-yard backstroke. He also helped the 200-yard medley relay team to victory.

Whitener, Andy Jensen, Andrew Krieber and James Fisher opened the night by leading Saline to victory in the 200-yard medley. Fellow Hornets Josh Ehrman, Mike Fisher, Brad Frost and Adam Pummel, followed them in to take second in the relay event.

Matt Stevens won the 200-yard freestyle event finishing in 1:54.03. Placing second was Michael Bundas and finishing third was David Boland.

Whitener captured the 200-yard individual medley in 2:02.94. Brad Frost and Tom Walls placed second and third for Saline.

The Hornets only loss in a swimming event came in the 50-yard freestyle event, where Skyline’s Chris Mukasa defeated James Fisher by 1/20^th of a second. Adam Pummel was third.

Stefan Koberl took first in the 100-yard butterfly. Bundas finished third.

Saline went 1-2-3 in the 100-yard freestyle, led by first-place finisher Jensen, who finished in 49.5 seconds. Ehrman and Krieber were second and third.

The Hornets owned the 500-yard event. Frost finished first in 4:52.84. Tom Walls and Matt Stevens followed him in.

Boland, Krieber, Bundas and Frost captured the 200-yard medley relay in 1:42.34.

Whitener captured the 100-yard backstroke in 54.92 seconds, beating the competition by more than 3.5 seconds. Ehrman, Pummel, Mike Fisher and Koberl followed Whitener to the finish.

Boland won in the breaststroke, finishing in 1:00.08. Jensen was second.

Saline finished 1-2 in the 400-relay. Stevens, James Fisher, Ehrman and Boland won the event in 3:24.27. Mike Fisher, Krieber, Jensen and Whitener finished second.

Chelsea’s Colby Wrathall won the diving event. Saline’s Ethan Johnson was second and Hornet Sam Blair was third.

Saline is in action again at Livonia Stevenson Saturday.

Saline's only loss this year came at a meet in Toledo against some of Ohio's powerhouse teams.