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.
Dexter opens the season on Dec. 12 at Skyline HS. Their home opener is Dec. 19 against Lincoln/Milan.
Top returning swimmers/divers:
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
