Pioneer splits swimming duels

Pioneers get state cuts in elite Division 1 meet 

Sunday, January 30, 2005

From Local Reports 

HOLLAND - The top three boys swim teams from last year's Division 1 state meet met in a double dual Saturday, but the order wasn't the same as last season. 

A year ago, Holland High School was first, Pioneer second and Birmingham Brother Rice third at state; Saturday, Brother Rice claimed bragging rights with a sweep. The Warriors beat Pioneer 95.5-87.5 and Holland 108-77; Pioneer (6-1) beat the host Dutch 105.5-80.5. 

The teams combined to hit 38 Division 1 state cut times in the 11 swimming events. All 11 winning times were D1 cuts. Pioneer had 12 cuts for the meet. 

Winners for the Pioneers were Sho Koba in the 100-yard freestyle (47.45) and 200 freestyle (1:42.44), Russ Bornschein in diving (213.00 points) and Jason Hass in the 100 butterfly (53.18). 

"It was a really good meet," Pioneer coach Denny Hill said. "We got beat by a good team. The kids performed well. It was a good, exciting meet. 

"It's a good thing to have under our belts. It'll make the state meet a lot tighter." 

The current Michigan Inter-Scholastic Swim Coaches Association rankings have Pioneer tied for No. 1 with Zeeland, while Rice is No. 3 and Holland No. 5.