Central, Notre Dame's Kuper take aim at elevating their status in state meet

~ The Tigers have five swimmers back with state meet experience.

Central's boys swimming team used last year as an opportunity to gain experience at the state level, with state-qualifiers in five individual races and all three relays.

The Tigers bring back their entire state group and will be shooting for some all-state finishes this time around.

Tigers coach Dayna Powell said last year the team had already accomplished its goals by Christmas, so this year the team will be aiming higher.

"This year, we tried to set higher goals," Powell said. "If everything comes together, we feel we can have an exciting time at state. We feel like any one of those guys at state last year can score for us."

Dan Austin, Jason Mercer and Kris Metje -- all seniors -- will anchor the squad this year. Other returning state qualifiers include junior Hunter Givens and sophomore Peyton Waggener.

The relay events should be a strength for the Tigers, as usual. Central made the second day of the state meet in two of the three relay events and just missed out in the third. With a year of swimming together under their belts, the relays should be even faster this season.

"We all got so much faster than I thought we would get," Powell said of last year. "It was exciting, we were on such a roll going into the state meet we didn't want the season to end."

Individually, both Metje (200 and 500 free) and Mercer (50 free and 100 fly) participated in two events at the state meet last year. Givens swam in the 100 free at the state meet.

Tanner Rust, a senior diver, should give the Tigers another shot for an individual state berth. Rust qualified as a sophomore, but was injured last season and could not compete.

"This group is really ready to make some noise and is excited about the season," Powell said.

The Tigers are aiming for a top-10 team finish at the state meet. Central finished in the top 10 the first 10 years of the program but has not cracked the top 10 since 1999.

"Feb. 11, when we leave St. Peters we want to be one of the top 10 teams," Powell said.

Central will begin its season with its own Cape Rock Invitational on Saturday. Diving will begin at 9 a.m. with the swimming portion under way at 1 p.m. There will be eight teams in the second year of the Invitational.

Notre Dame, Poplar Bluff, Eureka, Lindbergh, Parkway South, Springfield Central and Springfield Glendale will join the Tigers at the Central Municipal Pool.

Kuper's final campaign

Notre Dame senior Jameson Kuper will lead a young Notre Dame squad, as he tries to become the Bulldogs' first state swimming champion.

Kuper finished third in the 100 breaststroke and seventh in the 200 freestyle last year.

"He's one of the top state breast-strokers, but anything can happen at any meet, especially the state meet," Notre Dame coach Lenny Kuper said.

The Bulldogs did not send anyone other than Kuper to the state meet last year, something they will look to change this winter. Notre Dame again has a small team with just 17 swimmers, including four seniors.

"We just have hopes for getting a relay and individual if that happens," Lenny Kuper said of the state meet.

Adam Reinagel, Lance Carroll and John Kiblinger round out Notre Dame's returning seniors. Jordan Voss, a junior, also is one of the Bulldogs' top returning swimmers. Logan Bollinger, a freshman, could also have a big impact on the team this season.

Lenny Kuper said his four seniors will be an asset to the team this year.

"Our four seniors, they are leaders not only speed-wise, but work ethic-wise too. They're very positive role models for the younger swimmers," he said.

Notre Dame begins its season Friday at the University City Relays.