Eagles out-swim Hopkins 100-81, fall to Breck-Blake 59-43

Eden Prairie High School’s (EPHS) boys swim and dive team had a challenging schedule last week, besting Hopkins High School but coming up short against the joint team of Breck and Blake high schools.

“It was a long, but overall successful week,” said Sam Kendall, the Eagles’ head coach. “I think the boys are right in the very middle of grind season and were able to show some moxie in a double dual meet week.”

First, the Eagles faced Breck-Blake away on Tuesday, Jan. 16, where the Eagles put in a strong showing in a high-energy and fast-paced meet. Next, they took on Hopkins in another away meet on Friday, Jan. 19.

Amid excellent swims against tough competition at the Jan. 16 meet, the Eagles roared with excitement when EP’s Vincent Schulze, a junior in only his second season of high school swimming, dominated the 50 free with a personal best time of 22.99 seconds.

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“He has been a major force this season and especially this past week with a 50 free win at Breck/Blake,” Kendall said, adding that last week, Schulze was part of four relay wins and achieved overall top performances in all of his other individual events. “For someone who is so new to the sport to have so much success is truly special.”

Kendall also praised senior Mark Derouin, who won the 500 free on Friday against Hopkins and continues a strong push for a state run. “Mark has also been really impressive with the same looking line as Vinny, and all without swimming in the offseason,” he said.

Sophomore Zack McBeth’s swims were another highlight. “He continues to be the beacon of consistency for this group with a win in the 200 Free on Friday and also being part of multiple relay wins throughout the week,” Kendall said. “No doubt he is a young, passionate, and hard working athlete for this program and I’m excited to see where all this hard work leads him at the end of the year.”

Kendall also praised freshman swimmers Jack Kevan, Aditya Madireddy, Ryan Altawil, and Eli Drewes: “Jack has been a big impact this year for a team that needs butterfliers. He has stepped up big time. Aditya has also been a big part of our efforts in the distance events. Ryan has been swimming a little bit of everything and has had massive success, and Eli has been big time in the breaststroke (especially this week) and will be looking to make state.”

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Kendall said he’s happy with how the team has been swimming over the past few months.

“In general, this team has had a mountain worth of success this season,” he said. “We have our heads down and are focused on the end of the season and going incredibly fast then, which makes this part of the year tough. But as we inch closer to the end of the year, the boys will grow more optimistic. A lot more excitement to come from Eden Prairie boys swim and dive.”

The Eagles next face Edina High School. The away meet will take place at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, at South View Middle School, 4725 South View Lane, Edina.