Due to construction, Viewmont's swim team participation has been down this year.
The new South Davis Recreational Facility, which will replace the old Bountiful "bubble," will soon house the Vikings' swim team. Problem is, the season started months ago, but the project won't be finished until next month.
Viewmont's swim team has been commuting from the Bountiful school to the Northwest Community Center, located in the Rose Park area, each day for practice.
The commute has taken an obvious toll on the squad, but, according to coach Scott Balling, it won't ruin the season.
"We're off to a good start," he said. "Numbers are down just because of the commute, but the quality of our swimmers and their work ethic has just never been better. That's what I like."
Balling and his swimmers are understandably anxious about getting into their new facility, which is located within walking distance of Viewmont High.
"It's a nice facility, but it's just not done yet," said Balling.
On the whole, it should be another successful season for the Vikes. Their boys and girls teams both finished in the top 6 at last year's state meet, and they should be in that vicinity again this season.
"The girls are just as good, if not better, than they were last year," said Balling. "I got a lot of heart on the (boys) team. These guys have worked really hard from Day 1."
Much of the optimism surrounding the girls team centers on the return of two talented underclassmen: sophomore Melissa Manser and junior Briana Moore.
Manser will be in contention for a state championship in both her events (100-yard fly and 100 back), and Moore shouldn't be too far behind.
"The two girls we've got are really good," said Balling.
Meanwhile, the boys side is looking to replace several talented swimmers. Viewmont must replace every member of its 200 medley relay team, which took first at the state meet a year ago. Three of them graduated — Sagen Smith, Cole Stephens and Marshall Milligan — and the other — Bear Behrmann — left the team and moved to Mesa, Ariz.
One of the bright spots on the boys team, so far, has been senior Nalu Medeiros.
He swam the breast stroke as a sophomore but struggled, so coaches moved him to something else. Then, as the state meet approached last year, coaches asked him to swim the breast stroke at the Fairmont Invitational. He surprised virtually everyone that day, dropping almost five seconds off his time from the previous season.
"I was way surprised," he said.
That swim qualified him for the state meet and he finished 16th. He's continued to progress since then. He already dropped a second off his team from last year's state meet, and he says his goal is to contend for a state championship in that event.
Region 1 swimming
GIRLS
(Predicted order of finish)
1. WEBER: Warriors have several talented individuals, but it's their depth that has them favorites to repeat as region champs. Chelsea Reopelle leads the way, and she'll be supported by Jenna Hallesy, Cassey Tenney and others. 2006 STATE MEET: Eighth place.
2. VIEWMONT: Talented sophomore Melissa Manser and solid junior Briana Moore anchor the top for the Vikings, who have several talented swimmers behind the two stars. Will definitely have a solid team and will fight Weber for the region title. 2006 STATE MEET: Sixth place.
3. LAYTON: The future looks pretty good for the Lancers, thanks to a pair of outstanding freshmen. Those two would be Elizabeth Thompson and Mariah McGovern. Thompson currently has a number of solid times in several events. 2006 STATE MEET: 12th place.
4. NORTHRIDGE: Two underclassmen lead this squad. Amy Gray (100 breast) will be one of the main contributors, and others like Taylor Thompson will look to qualify for state. 2006 STATE MEET: 16th place.
5. DAVIS: Lacie Mehr and Calista Johnson both have good times in the 50 free, and they're both underclassmen. The Darts finished fourth at last year's Region 1 championships. 2006 STATE MEET: 15th place.
6. CLEARFIELD: Though the Falcons have struggled to place individuals in the top 50 so far, they surprisingly put up a very good time in the 200 free relay, which came in a dual meet. Amanda Owens, Chelsea Clark, Kristen Jacobsen and Alyssa Borrowman swam that relay together. 2006 STATE MEET: Did not score points.
7. FREMONT: Silver Wolves hope to get out of last place this year. 2006 STATE MEET: Did not score points.
BOYS
(Predicted order of finish)
1. WEBER: Not really very top heavy, but the Warriors should contend strongly with Viewmont for the region title. Senior Trevor Wessman (freestyle) and junior Jake Hatch have been strong early in the season. 2006 STATE MEET: Ninth place.
2. VIEWMONT: This bunch is currently working to replace a number of swimmers, but expect them to be solid by the time February comes. Nalu Medeiros has impressed in the 100 breast stroke. 2006 STATE MEET: Fourth place.
3. NORTHRIDGE: Northridge features one of the top individual male swimmers in 5A. Junior Nieko Bird finished fourth in both his events last year, and he currently has several top times this year. Besides him, look out for two freshmen: Matt Krambule and Spencer Bird. 2006 STATE MEET: 12th place.
4. LAYTON: This team has three fairly solid relay times. Individually, watch out for Warren Quist, Mike Garlich and Char Hafen. 2006 STATE MEET: 18th place.
5. CLEARFIELD: Isaac Kershner and Kendall Thomas will hope to be among the Falcons that eventually qualify for state. 2006 STATE MEET: 19th place.
6. DAVIS: A freshman has been paving the way for the Darts. Heading into this week, Chad Sorensen was ranked second in the 100 breast and seventh in the 200 IM. Should be a swimmer to look for at state. 2006 STATE MEET: Did not score points.
7. FREMONT: This squad will be working to try and qualify individuals for the state meet. The Silver Wolves scored 101 points at last year's Region 1 championships. 2006 STATE MEET: Did not score points.
— Dan Rasmussen
E-mail: drasmussen@desnews.com