Saturday night Madison Memorial wrapped up one of the most dominant high school meets that Wisconsin has ever seen. The team finished 149.5 points ahead of the closest school (Madison West), in what will be remembered as second largest landslide victory for any division in Wisconsin’s history. The team only collected 4 total titles, but their depth was too much for any of the other teams to handle.
Madison Memorial’s upperclassmen team of Justin Temprano (23.85), Amos Kaldor (26.13), Ben Gebhart (22.47), and Alex Peterson (20.61) got their team of to a great start by winning the 200 medley relay in record-breaking fashion (1:33.06). Nick Plachinski (Cedarburg) took the next event by winning the 200 free (1:39.92). Planchinski would also claim the 500 (4:29.21).
The record-breaking excitement wasn’t over after the 200 medley relay. Sophomore Paul DeLakis from Eau Claire Memorial/North broke an 18-year-old record in the 200 IM when he stopped the clock at 1:46.91. This record was held by one of the most dominant swimmers in Wisconsin swimming history, Ben Anderson, so this swim from DeLakis could be foreshadowing even greater things to come. Anderson still holds the record for most state titles won in Wisconsin High School History at 12. DeLakis wasn’t done there, and he came back later to win the 100 breaststroke (55.52).
Reilly Donnellan (Neenah) and Alex Peterson (Madison Memorial) would share the top spot on the podium after their tie in the 50 freestyle (21.00). Madison West would then see their only swimming individual title of the night with Aidan Meara’s 46.28 100 free. The Wisconsin State Record for the 100 free is still held by legendary Olympian Garrett Weber-Gale.
After winning the first relay Madison Memorial pushed through to again claim victory in the 200 free relay. Ryan Mennings (21.69), Amos Kaldor (20.93), Rory Sanchez (21.32), and Alex Peterson (20.51) finished a mere .13 seconds off the State Meet Record. After a strong 2 for 2 start, Madison Memorial went into the 400 free relay looking to complete the relay sweep. Two strong opening legs by Nick Plachinski (46.69) and Will Hobbs (46.22) pushed Cedarburg out to the lead. Madison Memorial’s Alex Peterson-Weber wasn’t about to get up just yet and split a 45.90 on the third leg to push his team ahead. The thrilling relay saw Cedarburg trailing until the last 25. A monster 45.27 by anchor Sam Douglass was enough to take away the relay sweep from Madison Memorial. This split was almost 2 seconds fast than the time Douglass swam in his individual 100 free (47.12 for 3rd place).
Other Individual Winners
- Madison West- Matt Munns (1-meter and 3-meter)
- Madison Memorial- Ben Gebhart (100 fly, 49.70) and Justin Temprano (100 back, 49.88)
Top 5
- Madison Memorial 350.5
- Madison West 201
- Cedarburg 192
- Appleton North/Appleton East 143
- Arrowhead 140
