Teams: Chisholm, Grand Rapids, Hibbing, International Falls, Mesabi East, Proctor-Esko, Rock Ridge
- 2023 Section Champion: Grand Rapids – 466 pts
- 2023 Runner-up: Hibbing – 411 pts
Notable Graduates:
- Aydin Altman (Grand Rapids) – Diving (1st Sections/6th State)
- Cole Hughes (Hibbing) – Diving (4th Sections)
- Ben Philips (Hibbing) – 50 Free (2nd Sections/12th State), 100 Fly (2nd Sections/14th State)
- Ben Riipinen (Hibbing) – 100 Free (4th Sections), 100 Breast (2nd Sections)
- Tye Hiltunen (Rock Ridge) – 200 Free (7th Sections), 100 Back (8th Sections)
- John Kendall (Rock Ridge) – 50 Free (9th Sections), 100 Free (4th Sections)
- Nate Spiering (Rock Ridge) – 50 Free (4th Sections), 100 Free (2nd Sections)
- Mason Williams (Mesabi East) – 50 Free (5th Sections), 100 Free (3rd Sections)
- Jacob Gundry (Proctor-Esko) – 200 IM (7th Sections), 100 Fly (5th Sections)
- Joshua Wherley (International Falls) – 100 Breast (8th Sections)
Team Outlook
No changes in Section 6A for the 2023-2024 season so it will come down to who made the most improvements over the last year. For all the details of the section realignments, you can visit our previous article.
Grand Rapids looks to be in a good position to repeat as Section 6A champions in 2024. Junior diver David Aultman will look to take over for graduating Aydin Altman. David placed 5th at sections last season while Aydin was section champion. Junior Joe Loney returns to defend his section championships in both the 200 and 500 Free to lead the way for Grand Rapids. Senior Nik Casper finished in 2nd behind Loney in the 200 Free and 6th in the 100 Free while fellow senior Isaac Palecek placed 7th in the 50 Free and 2nd in the 100 Back. Representing the sophomore class will be Max Connelly, who finished 5th in both the 200 and 500 Free in 2023. Senior Sam Barton will also be a strong contributor in 2024, returning after placing 6th in both the 100 Fly and 100 Breast. Juniors William Skaudis and Leif Wyland will also be contributing to the section point total this year. Skaudis placed 4th in the 100 fly and 7th in the 100 Back, while Wyland placed 8th in the 200 IM and 3rd in the 500 Free.
Other Notables
Hibbing returning high-point scorers are a pair of seniors, a junior and a sophomore. Senior Luke Pocquette placed 3rd in the 50 Free and 2nd in the 100 Breast in 2023 while fellow senior Alex Hanegmon placed 6th in the 200 Free and 7th in the 100 Fly. Junior Matthew Philips will look to build on his strong sophomore year in 2024. Phillips finished 3rd in the 200 IM and 4th in the 100 Back last year. Sophomore Wylie Stenson was a 4th place finisher in the 500 Free and 6th place finisher in the 100 Back in 2023 and will be looking to move up in both in 2024
Rock Ridge will be led by some serious senior power in 2024. Gunnar George was section champion in both the 50 Free and 100 Fly and placed 4th and 3rd respectively in those events at the state meet. Gabe Aagenes was section champion in the 100 Breast and placed 3rd in diving. Bodi George placed 2nd in the 200 IM and 3rd in the 100 Back. Luke Hecimovich returns after finishing 4th in the 200 IM and 100 Breast and AJ Hultman was the 3rd place finisher in the 200 Free and 7th in the 500 Free. Joining this massive group of seniors will be sophomore Aiden Bird. Bird placed 8th in the 50 Free and 5th in the 100 Breast in sections in 2023.
Mesabi East senior Carter Steele returns as section champion in both the 100 Free and 100 Back. Steele placed 7th in the 100 Free and 12th in the 100 Back at the state meet. Steele will be joined by sophomore Cole Layman, who was section champion in the 200 IM and placed 3rd in the 100 Fly at sections in 2023. Another key contributor will be junior Alex Leete. Leete placed 2nd in both the 200 Free and 500 Free in 2023. Junior Zade Baker will contribute after finishing 5th in the 200 IM and 100 Back last season and so will senior Isak Schroeder who placed 6th in the 50 Free and 7th in the 100 Free in 2023.
Proctor-Esko’s top returning swimmer will be junior Garek Plinski. Plinski placed 13th in the 200 IM and 9th in the 100 Breast last season.
International Falls will be rebuilding after graduating a good chunk of their section points. Juniors William Ginter and Brendyn Scholler will be leading the way. Chisholm will look to junior Nathan Splinter to move up into the finals heat of the 500 Free after a 9th place finish in 2023.