Dowling Swimmers Aim For State Title; Wrestlers Seek Improvement

Dowling Wrestlers Continue Rebuilding

Between 1984 and 1991 Dowling Catholic won four state wrestling championships. Those were the glory days and fifth-year head coach Jon Garvin says he can get this program back to that level.

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't think we could get back to that level," said Garvin. "We've gotten closer every year that I've been here, but it's been slow progress."

Since Garvin arrived in 2008, his Maroons have finished 46th, 41st, 30th and last year, 27th at the state meet. 

This year Garvin returns 11 letter winners, including returning state qualifiers Matt Collins and Jonathan Eide. Garvin says he will rely on these current wrestlers to be role models for the younger generation to look up to and emulate.

"My expectations this season, and for this program, are high. I think the older kids need to leave a legacy behind to show the younger kids how to achieve individual success," Garvin said. "I think there's enough younger kids with the desire and the raw talent that if they take those cues from these older guys, then they could be the ones to really turn this program around, and do some special things."

Garvin appreciates that his teams have shown improvement from year to year, but says they need to make one more big step forward to be where they want to be, back to late-1980s form.

"I think it's going to take a little more time. But we're starting to be able to see it, and realistically within the near future be able to get to that point," Garvin said. "We're showing improvement every year, that's all that matters. It's just we need to take that big step and then from there we got to continue to make those steps."

The Maroons will open their wrestling season on Dec. 1 at home against Roosevelt. 

Returning letter winners:

Jonah Eide, Jonathon Eide, Mitch Klein, Johnny Jaeger, Esteffan Herrera, Harrison Farrell, Josh Ruiz-Perez, Matt Collins, Reed Flood, Dalton Barnabo and Andy Blackford

Boys' swim team sets lofty goals

The Dowling swim team finished seventh at state last season. Head coach Mark Crouch, who is coaching his 26th season at Dowling, said losing a medley relay at the district meet was the only barrier between his team and a top-three finish at the state meet.

Instead the Maroons finished seventh at the state meet, but are looking for more success this season. 

Crouch returns eight state qualifiers this season, four of whom are juniors. Crouch describes this year's team as "junior dominated." And they have set lofty goals set for themselves.

"The kids have been talking since last year saying they're going to win the state meet this year," Crouch said. "Can we do it? I don't know. It takes a lot of hard work, the team has to gel and be supportive of each other, and there's a lot of teams out there who have the same aspirations we have."

Two of those juniors dominating the roster this season are two-time state swimming qualifier Ben Severino and last year's runner-up in the 100 freestyle, Jonathan Fiepke.

Severino competed in three events at last year's state meet, and also competed as a freshman. Crouch says the team will rely on him more than ever this season.

"Ben's a very talented swimmer," Crouch said. "He's a great kid. He's one of our mainstays, one of our leaders. He's one of the guys we're going to count on to get us a lot of points at the state meet."

Fiepke had the best finish of any Maroon swimmer last season as a sophomore.

"He's worked extremely hard," said Crouch. "He has some pretty high goals and he looks pretty good in the water so far. I think people are going to hear his name quite a bit this season."

The Maroons began their state title quest on Nov. 22 at home against Ottumwa.