No Repeat, No Problem; Groves Swimmers Finish Strong

It wasn't hard to predict where the varsity boys swim team would finish at the state  finals – just look at the top of the standings.

The Falcons have finished first or second in Division 2 swimming for six of the past eight years, with the school winning four championships during that span, including a state title in 2010.

The state finals March 12 continued that tradition, with the boys team falling only 8 points short of defending the gold, losing to rival 295-287.

“Both teams scored over 280 points,” Groves coach Matt Watson said. “Swim meets and races are decided by hundredths of seconds. A few races go a hundredth or tenth of a second differently on the first day, then the result of the meet is flipped.”

Watson started as an assistant with the swim team in 2003 and took over the team during its 2005-2006 championship season. But Seaholm was the division's best team this year, he said.

He should know: The Falcons faced Seaholm several times this season, including the schools' dual meet and the Oakland Activities Association Red Division meet, where Watson’s team lost each time.

“No matter how the season is going for both teams, it seems that the meets between us are always close and fast,” Watson said. “This year was special because we knew we were the best two teams in our division in the state. The meets brought out some of our best swims before the state meet.”

And both teams saved the best for last.

Groves won five of the 12 events at the state finals, and in the 400 freestyle relay, the four-man Falcons team (Scott Crosthwaite, Steven Curry, Noah Zamler, Rob McGowan) set a school and division state record (3:05.63).

“I’m really proud of our guys,” Watson said. “Each guy stepped up where they needed to. It just wasn’t enough to win the meet.”

While Groves fell just short of its team goal, the season was far from disappointing for the Falcons.

“Our focus is never on winning a championship, it is on our swimmers (achieving) their goals,” Watson said.

On that front, Groves succeeded in spades.

McGowan, the team’s captain, also won the 50-yard freestyle (20.70, a Groves varsity record) and was part of the team (with Curry, Crosthwaite and John Hammond) that won the 200-yard freestyle (1:25.02).

The other two first-place finishes for Groves were Zamler in the 200-yard individual medley (1:55.50) and Crosthwaite in the 500-yard freestyle (4:37.42).

Seaholm didn’t win a single individual race or relay at the state finals, but the team used its depth to win with a bevy of swimmers to nab finishes in the top 16. It was the Maples' first swimming title since 1965.

Despite the competition between the schools, Watson was excited for his crosstown rival and Seaholm coach Tom Wyllie.

“Tom was coaching at Seaholm when I swam at Andover,” Watson said. “Over the years being rivals, I have gotten to know him really well. His daughter Kendall swam for me — she was a captain on the first team I coached at Groves.

"I am really happy that Tom and his guys got what they deserved," Watson said. "They worked extremely hard and were determined this year to win the state meet.”

As for Groves' chances next year, Watson said that as long as his swimmers put the work in and have the passion to succeed, anything is possible. 

“I’ll never count my guys out,” Watson said.