2010-11 WInter Preview: Kong, Coutu, Lawrence return to lead Raptors swim team

• Justin Kong

This year, junior Justin Kong is the lone returning state entrant for the Raptors, as East Ridge will look to be as competitive as it was in year No. 1.

Talk about it

In its first year, the East Ridge swimming and diving team made some waves.

The Raptors sent four swimmers to the Class A state meet and finished in seventh place out of 36 teams at state, pulling in six All-State performances in five events.

This year, junior Justin Kong is the lone returning state entrant for the Raptors, as East Ridge will look to be as competitive as it was in year No. 1.

Last year, East Ridge went 5-3 in its first season, beating intra-district rivals Woodbury and Park, along with earning a two-point win over Roseville in Suburban East Conference meets.

Along with Kong, the team returns key swimmers senior captains Mitch Coutu and Aaron Lawrence along with junior Nate Rabideaux, freshman Sam Scholz and freshman diver Max Samuelson to the pool for the 2010-11 season.

East Ridge will make the jump from Class A to AA in year No. 2 and will compete in Section 4AA along with SEC powerhouses Stillwater and Mounds View and District 833 mates Woodbury and Park.

East Ridge will see its district foes early at the Woodbury Invitational on Saturday, Dec. 18, before going to Park for a dual meet on Thursday, Jan. 20, and playing host to Woodbury on Tuesday, Feb. 8.

“I want to get everyone to improve 100 percent on their times from last year,” East Ridge head coach Luke Weyandt said. “I also hope we can get some new kids on the team and hope all the kids have a fun experience and want to come back.”

Tags: 2010 winter preview, cottage grove, sports, swimming, raptors, woodbury, preps