WEST JORDAN — For nearly eight months, West Jordan junior Josh Loomis has spent day after day working to make amends for something that wasn't his fault.
At the end of last year's 5A state meet, Loomis was disqualified in the 400-yard freestyle relay for jumping off the starting block early. West Jordan's boys team would've finished in fourth place had it not been DQ'd from the event but wound up seventh instead.
Thing was, a chance picture taken just as Loomis was getting ready to jump off the block showed that he did not go early and that the official ruled incorrectly. Loomis may have spent some time feeling sorry for himself, but he got back to work and has been doing everything imaginable since to avenge what happened.
"It was a huge setback, but it just makes me want to go even harder this year," he said.
In the end, it took him just 1 minute and 53.81 seconds to exorcise many of those demons. That's the time he put up in the 200 free during West Jordan's opening meet against Granger. It was nearly four full seconds faster than his state time from last year, which is phenomenal.
"I told him, 'You didn't do it. It's not your fault,' but he took it really personally in the offseason," said coach Gene Peterson. "(There were) a couple kids that worked really hard in the offseason, but he did not let up for one week. He took it so personally.
"He went out and trained with (Cottonwood Heights Aquatic Team) for a while. He did our summer program. He has the best work ethic on our team. There's a reason why he's succeeding so well."
When he realized his time in the Granger meet, Loomis could hardly believe it.
"I just looked up at the scoreboard and I was like, 'No way,'" he said, smiling. "I checked the lane to make sure it was my lane. I was happy."
As pleased as he was with the performance, he's far from satisfied. Loomis said his goal is to medal in both his events — the 200 free and the 100 fly — at state this season.
"Definitely, I wanna go out there and prove something," he said.
Peterson feels that West Jordan's DQ from the 400-free relay — though extremely painful at the time — will turn out to be a positive.
"It's kind of been a blessing in disguise," he said. "Josh alone: He's a hard worker anyways, but that just pushed him so much harder. He's going to be a state medalist this year because of that."
On the whole, hopes are sky high for the Jaguars' boys team. A huge banner hangs in the commons area at West Jordan High, featuring a picture of the swim team with the caption, "Invictus," the title of a famous poem. Invictus is Latin for unconquered.
That's how the Jags feel at the moment. Last weekend, they beat Region 3 foes Kearns and Bingham at the Greg Fernley Invitational in St. George. It also defeated perennial state contender Brighton.
West Jordan will aim to win the Region 3 boys title and, based on the Greg Fernley finish, could be an enormous factor down the road at state.
Region 3 swimming outlook
GIRLS
(Predicted order of finish)
1. KEARNS: Senior sprinter NatalieEdge headlines this squad and is one of the top swimmers in the state. She has a nice complement of swimmers around her, which should lead to the Cougars' second-straight Region 3 title. Some of Edge's teammates include StephanieFredsall, AdelinMarsh, AnnikaBergeson and MeganRaby. The Cougars have a good sophomore class. 2006 STATE MEET: Second place.
2. HUNTER: This team actually finished a half point ahead of the Miners at the Greg Fernley Invitational, despite having its 200-yard medley relay disqualified. Senior MarisaDobie is the top returner, and she'll get help from MargaretParker, KoriCoombs and talented freshman KelliCoombs, among others. Second place is possible. 2006 STATE MEET: Seventh place.
3. BINGHAM: Sort of a rebuilding season for Bingham's girls team, but second place isn't unrealistic. The Miners will probably fight with Hunter for the spot. Freshman AlyssaKankamp is really talented, and AmandaMemmott and KatieSpencer should be point-winners down the road at state. 2006 STATE MEET: Ninth place.
4. COPPER HILLS: This squad looks like it's getting better. LaniHind, BrittaniNelson, KelseyOviatt and others have helped the Grizzlies to respectable finishes early on. 2006 STATE MEET: 14th place.
5. WEST JORDAN: The Jags' coaching staff will look for continued improvement from this bunch. West Jordan should have more swimmers this year. There are only two seniors — AngieTerry and AlainaMangum — and much will be expected down the road from three talented sophomores: JessicaMargetts, ZoeBerrett and TaylorJohnston. 2006 STATE MEET: 20th place.
6. RIVERTON: The Silverwolves finished fourth at last year's Region 3 meet, but replicating that feat will definitely be tough. Currently, KristenGerth, a senior, has put up decent times in a number of individual events. 2006 STATE MEET: 13th place.
BOYS
(Predicted order of finish)
1. WEST JORDAN: Coach GenePeterson hailed this group as the best boys team West Jordan has ever had. Junior JordanFletcher is the big star. He's the defending state champ in the 50 free and 100 fly. However, the Jags' high hopes rest on all the depth behind him. Expect a lot from AustinSpoerri, JonEllis, ZachBellows, TrentEllis, JordanSpoerri, JoshLoomis and others. Based on their performance in the Greg Fernley Invitational, they should probably win Region 3 and will be a major contender at state. 2006 STATE MEET: Seventh place.
2. KEARNS: The Cougars finished behind West Jordan and Bingham at the Greg Fernley Invitational recently, and the defending Region 3 champs could finish third at the end of the season. They lost several seniors from a year ago. AdamHuff (100 free and 200 free) and JustinChristensen (100 fly and 100 back) are the only heavy hitters who return. Still, look for coach ChrisHorne and his staff to develop many of their younger male swimmers before region. 2006 STATE MEET: Second place.
3. BINGHAM: Should be a very good season for the Miners. They have a really good mix of youth and experience. Senior JoshRueckert will lead the squad. But there are plenty of talented swimmers around him, including ChrisAnderson, GeremyKoyle, CodyStewart and JordanWestra. 2006 STATE MEET: Fifth place.
4. RIVERTON: Cracking the top threeis probably unrealistic for the Silverwolves, but there's no reason to think this squad can't finish in fourth, which would be a spot higher than its finish a year ago. Senior MattDavies won points for Riverton at last year's 5A meet, and he currently holds a number of solid times in multiple events. RyanRobbins and RileyMcQuivey are two other swimmers to watch out for. 2006 STATE MEET: 15th place.
5. COPPER HILLS: ZackHarris currently holds a top-ten time in the 100 fly. MatthewOlsen, CraigHoffman and KyleCorbett are other Grizzlies' swimmers that will be aiming for state qualification. 2006 STATE MEET: 13th place.
6. HUNTER: Looks like another rebuilding season for the Wolverines, who are still trying to replicate the talented boys sides they had a few seasons ago. JoshOlsen, JakeHarmon, MattSmith and JeffGreen are among the swimmers looking to qualify individually for state. 2006 STATE MEET: 8th place.
E-mail: drasmussen@desnews.com