After the Dexter boys’ swimming and diving team won its fourth straight MHSAA D2 State Championship last year – yes, fourth straight state title – Dexter Coach Michael McHugh summed up what made the team special.
“This team was a lot of fun to coach,” McHugh said at the time. “They were always laughing and having a good time, never took themselves too seriously, yet always performed when they needed to.”
Dexter won its fourth consecutive Division 2 state swimming and diving title at Eastern Michigan University last year by 36 points. The Dreadnaughts went 13-1 and won another SEC Division title.
McHugh and the Dreadnaughts are looking to have some more fun in 2020.
“We will be a smaller team this year with 17 swimmers and one diver,” said McHugh, who begins his 14th season as head coach. “Our goal is to, despite our losses, maintain a high level program that places in the top five at the state meet in March. We have strong senior leadership, and we have a great core group that will help lead us this season.”
The key for Dexter will be filling the holes left by departing swimmers.
Top returning players:
Tanner Sharp, Sr, Sprint Free/Breaststroke – All State, All American
Paul Schaefer, Sr, Breaststroke/Distance Free – All State
Luke Sayler, Sr, Mid Distance Free – All State, All American
Zach Norris, Jr, Backstroke/IM
Leo Varitek, Jr, Free/Backstroke
Cole Warren, So, Diving
Stuart Bovich, So, Backstroke
Top new swimmers:
Drew Kemp, Fr, Sprint Free/Backstroke
Dexter opens the season on Dec. 12 at Skyline HS. Their home opener is Dec. 19 against Lincoln/Milan.
