2011-12 Winter Preview: Woodbury boys swim team ready to make a splash

Joined by a large group of talented swimmers, Martin Hoven returns to his position as head coach of the Woodbury boys swimming and diving team for the third straight year this winter.

Hoven and his athletes are looking forward to a great season, and with strong returning members like senior team captains Greg Norsten and Victor Lugg, along with top senior diver Nathan Jensen, it looks like Woodbury has ample chance to show off what they can do.

“This year we’ve got seniors in two of our better swimmers,” Hoven said, adding that he’s excited to see how Norsten and Lugg will fare in the state championships this year.

Last year the Royals ended their season with a 3-6 overall record and a 3-5 standing in the Suburban East Conference. The Royals finished seventh in the SEC for the 2011 season, took third out of eight in the Woodbury Invitational and placed third of six in last year’s True Team section competition, meets that Hoven described as big victories for the team.

Additionally, Norsten set record times last season in the 200-yard individual medley and the 100-yard butterfly events with times of 1:51.87 and 00:50.23, respectively and became the Royals first state swim champion since 1990. Norsten won the Class AA state championship in the 200 IM, then followed up his state championship win with a second-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly.

Teammate and fellow senior Victor Lugg also finished top five in two events at state last year.

Lugg earned a bronze medal with a third-place finish in the 50-freestyle and had a fourth-place finish in the 100-yard freestyle. Lugg had a time of 21.35 in the 50 free and a 46.92 in the 100.

Key meets for the Royals during the 2012 winter season will be their meet at Hastings on Jan. 10 and against East Ridge on Jan. 19. Both Hastings and East Ridge placed just ahead of Woodbury in the SEC last season.

“We’re excited about this season. It’ll be a nice, positive year. Very fun for us,” Hoven said.

The Royals will kick their season off with the annual conference relays hosted Thursday, Dec. 8, at Stillwater Junior High, where they will compete against other SEC teams including East Ridge, Hastings and Park.

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