Panthers defeat Everest, take edge into conference meet

By Patrick Lynn

STEVENS POINT — Stevens Point Area Senior High closed out its final Wisconsin Valley Conference dual meet of the season with a decisive win Tuesday night, defeating D.C. Everest 114-54 at the SPASH pool.

The victory gives the Panthers a two-point edge over the Evergreens heading into next week’s conference championship meet, where results will be combined with dual scores to determine the overall league champion.

The meet also marked the final home swim for four SPASH seniors — Henry Bowling, Jacob Faust, Ryan Peterson and Mason Soik — and each delivered strong performances.

Bowling led the way with individual wins in the 200-yard freestyle in 1 minute, 53.45 seconds and the 500 freestyle in 5:27.77.

Faust captured the 200 individual medley in 2:12.47, while Soik added victories in the 100 freestyle (53.49) and 100 breaststroke (1:05.22).

Peterson contributed to a pair of relay wins. He teamed with Faust, Soik, and junior Tony Raczek to win the 200 medley relay, and later joined freshman Eli Gottlieb, sophomore Karl Eriksson, and Bowling to take first in the 200 freestyle relay.

Raczek also posted a strong individual showing, winning the 50 freestyle in 22.96 and placing second in the 100 butterfly.

One of the night’s highlights came from the visiting side, as D.C. Everest senior Will Van Ermen set a SPASH pool record in the 100 butterfly with a time of 51.44 seconds.

SPASH will next compete at the Wisconsin Valley Conference championship meet at Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5.