Saxony Lutheran senior swimmer sets new school record

He was the lone senior on senior night, standing with his parents and receiving his flowers (literally) without having to share the spotlight.

"It was kind of fun being older than everybody, kind of getting to boss them around a little bit," said Saxony Lutheran senior swimmer Mason Landewee. "It's also kind of memorable because this is my last year. I'm not gonna have anything to do after this."

But Landewee earned the sole spotlight by setting a new school record in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:09.29 during a tri-meet with Notre Dame and Farmington on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at the SEMO Student Recreation Center in Cape Girardeau.

"It means a lot on my senior night," Landewee said. "It's definitely extra special for me to have my name on the board. So during classes, everybody will see my name."

Notre Dame won the meet 133-94. Freshman Hudson Dennis dominated with first-place finishes in the 200-yard freestyle (1:58.25), and 200-yard IM (2:13.44), and was on the winning relay in both the 400-yard freestyle and 200-yard medley. Fellow freshman Kaiden Cracraft finished first in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 58.77.

"I knew they were quick," Landewee said, "but they definitely got a lot faster this season."

Tom Hasz, who was a Semoball Awards finalist last year, was another star for Saxony Lutheran, winning the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 1:06.17.

With only three swimmers, Saxony Lutheran and Notre Dame practice together and prepare like a combined club. Even though they are not one team, the camaraderie feels like it. When Landewee was being recognized, the Bulldogs were there cheering him.

"I like the dynamic," Landewee said. "I would consider everyone on Notre Dame's team a friend, and the same with my own team."

Landewee is not satisfied with that record. Landewee said he's also aiming to break the school records in the 100-yard and 500-yard freestyle race, as well as earn a trip to state. His other event in the meet was the 50-yard freestyle, in which he finished second with a time of 24.57.

There's still a lot of swimming left in the season. Saxony Lutheran will compete in the Rec Relays, along with Cape Central, Jackson, and Notre Dame at SEMO on Monday, Oct. 16. Saxony Lutheran will also compete in a tri-meet with Notre Dame and Jackson on Monday, Oct. 23, and against Cape Central on Tuesday, Oct. 24, before the SEMO Conference meet in SEMO on Halloween.