Stevenson squad hopes to build off last season’s success

By Jon Malavolti
C & G Sports Writer

Utica Stevenson’s boys swimming and diving team is hoping to keep up its winning ways this season.

The Titans executed a flip turn-esque turnaround in the pool last year, recording their first winning season in more than a handful of years.

Stevenson finished the 2008-09 campaign 8-1 overall, 4-1 in the Macomb Area Conference Blue Division dual-meet standings, tied with Macomb L’Anse Creuse North for first place. The squad had won just one dual meet the previous two seasons combined.

Coach Suzanne Murray is hoping that progression continues as the Titans turn their attention to winning the dual-meet title outright, winning the division meet and placing in the top three at the county meet.

“Last year, we had a big turnaround; we were able to get the program back on track,” she said.

The Titans have already gotten off on the right track in 2010. A trophy has already made its way into the coach’s office, honoring Stevenson’s championship effort at the 12-team Titan Relay meet Dec. 11 at Warren Woods Tower.

“They were very excited,” Murray said of the relay title.

Though  Stevenson lost its first dual meet, a crossover against Macomb Dakota of the MAC Red, it fell by just two points. Murray called the meet “amazing,” adding that it gave the Titans a good test before kicking off MAC Blue action.

The Titans beat Tower and Roseville High in a crossover and division meet, respectively, giving them a 2-1 overall record, 1-0 division mark, at press time. They were scheduled to face L’Anse Creuse North, which edged Stevenson for the division-meet title last year, after press time.

Senior captain Anthony Bollini said taking the division title at the end of this season would “be the ultimate prize.”

“It’d be the ultimate comeback — since last year we came really close,” he said. “We want to finish off the season winning.”

The division-meet finals are scheduled to begin at noon Feb. 27 at Utica Ford II.

But before the Titans worry about that late-season clash, they’ve got more dual meets and the Feb. 6 Macomb County meet at L’Anse Ceruse North to focus on.

Stevenson plans to turn to its depth, with nearly 40 swimmers on its roster — one of the largest in the county — to lead it to victory.

But it’s not just quantity, it’s quality that the Titans are receiving. Senior captain Jon Duvall has seen the positive results firsthand.

“It’s been a great improvement,” he said. “My first year, there were 16 guys on the team. Now we have like 40. And everyone’s getting a lot better. Like my first year, we maybe had two good swimmers. Now we have a whole team of great swimmers, all capable of winning.”

“Everyone’s been working hard, swimming offseason. Everyone’s just been working their butts off,” added senior captain Damenik Dusevic.

Murray noted the trio of captains has displayed strong leadership skills by helping the team remain focused and working hard.

“They’ve been doing a phenomenal job,” she said.

All three captains are also contributing in the pool, racking up big points for the Titans. Other key contributors are senior Christian Syzmaszek, sophomore Brandon Kennedy, and freshmen Zak Melcher and Kurt Schnell.

You can reach Sports Writer Jon Malavolti at jmalavolti@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1040.