Sass takes second in diving at state meet

The Brookfield Barracudas' best finish at the WIAA State Boys Swimming & Diving meet on Saturday at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Natatorium came from a veteran student-athlete as the swimmers came away with five medals, two school and three team records.

Senior William Sass, who has been to state four times, finished second in 1-meter diving with 413.05 points behind junior Andrew Suchla of Racine Park (455.50). Sass' best previous finish was 10th last season.

"Will had an enviable year," Barracudas coach William Twitchell said. "He won every competition we entered this year with the exception of the state meet, where he placed second. The last swimmer/diver to finish their senior season in such a fashion was probably Sarah Wanasek."

The Barracudas also had a fifth-place finish from the 200-yard freestyle relay of sophomore Brian Borden, junior Mitch Douglas, junior Joseph Bauer and senior Erik Wahlgren, who had a time of 1 minute, 28.27 seconds.

Borden and Walden were busy as they also participated in two individual events.

Borden was sixth in the 100 breaststroke (1:00.12) and 14th in the 200 individual medley (1:59.07), while Walden finished seventh in the 100 free (47.81 seconds) and eighth in the 50 free (21.87).

The 400 free relay of Wahlgren, sophomore Dean Zheng, Bauer and Borden finished 13th (3:18.59).

"The swimming portion of the meet continued our memorable season," Twitchell said. "The team of Erik Wahlgren, Brian Borden, Mitch Douglas, Joe Bauer and Dean Zheng built on Will's second-place finish in diving. The swimmers combined for five medals, two school and three team records."

Madison Memorial ran away with the team victory, scoring 326 points to Arrowhead's 234. Brookfield finished ninth out of 40 teams with 92 points.