Brady Robinson won two events for the Warriors in Saturday’s meet against Warsaw. (Photos by Nick Goralczyk)

WARSAW — It was much closer than it has been in recent years, but the results was the same for the Northern lakes Conference opening meet between the Wawasee and Warsaw swim teams. Wawasee made the margin as close as it has in several years but the Tigers remained on top in this county rivalry with a 118-68 victory.

The Tigers are trying to reload in certain spots following some big graduations after last season, but Warsaw still brings back plenty of impressive swimmers for the 2015-16 campaign. Two of the biggest names for Warsaw this year will be Matt Wildman and Ethan Cook and the two seniors got right back to form in their home opener.

Cook edged out a first place finish over Wawasee’s Logan Brugh (1:50.72) to start his day with a time of 1:50.62 in the 200 free. Brett Willaman (2:04.72) took third for the Warriors in the event while Kaleb Schneidewent (2:05.24) placed fourth.

In the 100 fly Cook picked up his second win of the day with a time of 57.40, beating out teammate Evan Borchers (58.44). Jake Cowan (1:04.21) and Spencer Naugler (1:05.78) placed third and fourth, respectively, for Wawasee.

Wildman also picked up two individual wins for the Tigers. The senior swam a 23.06 in the 50 free to beat teammate Alex Cook (24.34) while Wawasee’s Ethan Knepp swam a 24.93, good enough for third. Wildman than later won the 100 free (51.44), also beating out Cook (54.56) and Knepp (56.11).

In the 200 free relay Both Cooks, Wildman and Jacob LaLonde teamed up for a first place time of 1:34.62. Wawasee took second with a time of 1:37.25. The elder Cook, Wildman, Zach Tayler and Hudson Snyder would win the 400 relay (3:28.25).

Mason Metzinger

It was a nice win for the Tigers, but there were still a few things to look at for head coach Tony DeBrota.

“We looked a little tired,” said DeBrota. “Pushing turns is what we’re really looking at. We’re getting sloppy off the strokes, sloppy off the walls. They’re just looking sluggish, but that’s how it is right now. The key is that, even when they’re tired, they’ve got to keep pushing. I told them that they need to swim every meet like it’s their last meet. That’s the intensity we want to see from them.

“I was happy with the times, we still had good times. Relay exchanges were good. These guys are definitely pushing themselves. I’m not seeing anybody that’s tired and just quits. When they’re tired it’s because they’ve got nothing left. They’re looking exhausted because we’re pushing them right now. It’s not about best times right now, it’s about showing me that you can still give an acceptable time while working hard in practices.”

Ethan Knepp

Warsaw also took the first swimming event of the day, the 200 medley relay, with a time of 1:47.68. Warsaw’s B relay team took second (1:50.95), while Wawasee placed third (1:58.11).

The Warriors are a young team, and that is an obstacle they are working on a little at a time, but Wawasee’s young names showed quite a bit of promise in their first meet.

Brady Robinson, a sophomore, won both the 200 IM and 100 back to start his season.

“Brady is starting off really well,” Wawasee head coach Julie Robinson said. “He actually shut down the last 50 of his 200 IM, so he would’ve swam pretty close to his lifetime best otherwise. He did a great job in the 100 back coming off the relay. I think he is going to be a really strong swimmer for us this year.”

Robinson swam a 2:02.58 in the IM, ahead of Tayler (2:08.89). In the 100 back Robinson against beat out Tayler (58.91) with a time of 57.94.

Warsaw head coach Tony DeBrota

Jared Krugman, a freshman, picked up a win in the 100 breast in his first high school meet. Krugman swam a 1:07.96 to beat out Mason Metzinger (1:09.41).

Logan Brugh, one of Wawasee’s four seniors, returned to form for his team with a win in the 500 free (5:05.78), beating out Snyder’s 5:26.35.

“Logan did not have as many practices for us at the beginning of the season since he was running cross country,” Robinson began saying of her senior. “I was excited to see what he did today, Ethan (Knepp) is another guy that has done a good job for us.

“Jared (Krugman) has come out as a freshman just done so well. He swam his first race in the 100 breast today and won. His brother Jacob is impressing as well, he dropped around 25 seconds from his club time in the 500. I’m seeing a lot of the young boys stepping up and I think they’ll be doing really well for us over the next few years.”

Warsaw’s Tyler Peseka (178.70) won the diving portion of Saturday’s meet. Peseka was followed by teammate Nick Bell (170.45) and Wawasee’s Austin Dunithan (146.35).

Warsaw (2-0, 1-0) travels to NorthWood on Thursday. Wawasee (0-1, 0-1) travels to Elkhart Memorial on Monday.

Wawasee head coach Julie Robinson talks with some of the Warsaw swimmers following meet. One can hope there was serious trash talk being exchanged, but it seems unlikely.