The Skyline boys’ swimming and diving team finished first in six races to take first overall at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 State Finals at Oakland University on Saturday. It was the program’s second state title after finishing first at the D-1 event in 2018.
The Eagles landed with 291 points, ahead of runner-up Detroit U-D Jesuit’s total of 266. Grosse Pointe South was third with 238 points followed by Birmingham Groves (204) and Birmingham Seaholm (150). Fellow SEC team Dexter placed 23rd overall with 19 points.
Skyline’s Evan McKelvey had a huge weekend for the Eagles. The standout swimmer won two individual races and swam on two winning relays – you can’t do any better than that.
And, really, neither could the Eagles who saved their amazing best for last.
“This state meet was truly special,” said McKelvey. I got to share a victory with lifelong friends and my brother, who’s a freshman on the team. Truly a once in a lifetime experience.”
McKelvey stressed that this title was a total team effort.
“Every person played a role in this championship,” he said. “We could not have done this without all of our teammates, coaches and parents. I’ll always remember the look on Matthew’s face when we realized we won. Our senior class is one of a kind. I’m honored to be a part of it.”
The individual wins were quite a jump from last year for McKelvey, who was seventh in the 100 freestyle and fifth in the 200 freestyle as a junior. He was determined to move up this year – and he ended up moving all the way up.
Skyline began its race for the title with a third-place finish in the opening medley relay. The team of Ben Deininger, Daniel Osterholzer, Lucas Caswell and Jack Staunton touched third in 1:33.94. GP South took first in 1:31.85. Dexter’s team of Lucas Greatorex, Adam Hauser, Stuart Bovich and Matthew Resende was 16th in 1:40.84.
McKelvey won his first race of the day when he touched first in 1:39.21 in the 200 freestyle.
In the 100 IM, Skyline senior Ben Kurniawan was fourth in 1:53.56. Caswell was 11th (1:55.65) and Deininger 16th (2:00.31) for the Eagles.
Skyline’s Matthew Lee was another Eagle to have a huge weekend. The talented senior went 20.63 to win the 50 free in a close race. Bedford’s Micah Scheffer was second in 20.76. Staunton was 12th in 21.82 for Skyline.
Dexter senior Cole Warren was second in diving after finishing with a score of 460.55 points. Grosse Pointe South’s Logan Hepner took first in 509.70. Skyline freshman Stuart Knight was seventh with 385 points.
Kurniawan brought home another gold medal for the Eagles with a first-place finish in the 100 butterfly in 49.31. Caswell was sixth (50.95).
McKelvey made his second trip to the winner’s circle with his victory in the 100 free (44.89). Right behind him was a familiar face, teammate Matthew Lee who took second in 45.46.
The Skyline team of McKelvey, Staunton, Kurniawan and Lee set an LPD2 Finals record in the 200 freestyle relay in 1:23.72. GP South was second in 1:24.30.
In the backstroke, Deininger was ninth (52.12).
Osterholzer was seventh in the breaststroke with a time of 58.09. Lewis McCammon was 12th (1:00.25) and Staunton 13th (1:00.42).
Skyline ended the meet the same place they started it – in the winner’s circle. The team of McKelvey, Caswell, Kurniawan and Lee won the 400 free relay in 3:05.63. U-D Jesuit was second in 3:08.21.
Photos courtesy of Nicole McKelvey
