​State for the boys’ swimmers is just around the corner. Both the Washington and Kennedy teams have been preparing for this all season. They have tapered the past few weeks and have shaved down to get ready for the big day.
​The district meet was held Saturday, February 4 at Coe College. Both teams competed against Linn-Mar, Jefferson, Dubuque Senior, Dubuque Hempstead, Decorah, Keokuk and Vinton-Shellsburg. Linn-Mar beat Washington causing them to end their 53-year district winning streak.
​Junior George Durin, who swims for Washington, qualified for the 200 medley relay, 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle and 400 freestyle. He placed first in both the medley relay and the 400 freestyle relay, as well as the 50 freestyle. Durin also placed fourth in the 100 freestyle. Durin’s hope is to place top three in all of his events at state.
“Personally, I did not have a good meet and did not meet my expectations,” Durin said. “I just have to put districts behind me and stay focused on my races at state.”
​Junior Carter Kramer, who swims for Kennedy, qualified for the 200 medley relay, 50 freestyle and 200 freestyle relay. He placed third in the medley relay, fourth in the 50 freestyle and second in the freestyle relay.
“I think the meet went great for me in that I got two out of three of my goal times for the meet,” Kramer said. “I got exactly my goal time in the 50 freestyle and my goal for the 100 breaststroke. The one I missed was the 100 breaststroke so I was a little disappointed by that, but it was a fun meet overall.”
​Both Durin and Kramer will be swimming in the state meet held at the Marshalltown YMCA at 12 p.m. on Saturday, February 11.

Hannah Williams
Sports Writer