2025 Boys High School Preview: Section 5AA

Section 5AA

Teams in the Section
Champlin Park, Irondale, Maple Grove, Osseo, Park Center, Robbinsdale Cooper-Armstrong, Spring Lake Park, Wayzata

2025 Section Champion: Wayzata – 650 pts
2025 Section Runner-up: Irondale – 331 pts

Notable Graduates

• Alex Kosel (Osseo) – 200 Yard Freestyle (2nd sections)
• Connor Elfstrand (Maple Grove) – 200 Yard Freestyle (8th sections), 100 Yard Freestyle (8th sections)
• Gabriel Jimenez (Maple Grove) – 100 Yard Backstroke (8th sections)
• Christopher Osborne (Maple Grove) – 1m Diving (6th sections)
• Henry Botten (Irondale) – 200 Yard IM (2nd sections, 14th state), 100 Yard Backstroke (5th sections, 9th state)
• Gannon Willmert (Irondale) – 100 Yard Butterfly (8th sections), 100 Yard Breaststroke (5th sections)
• Dylan Murphy (Wayzata) – 200 Yard IM (7th sections), 100 Yard Breaststroke (6th sections)
• JP Kirchner (Wayzata) – 50 Yard Freestyle (3rd sections, 14th state), 100 Yard Freestyle (1st sections)
• Max Carter (Wayzata) – 50 Yard Freestyle (4th sections), 100 Yard Butterfly (3rd sections, 8th state)
• Quang Nguyen (Wayzata) – 100 Yard Breaststroke (8th sections)
• Rishab Madasamy (Wayzata) – 100 Yard Breaststroke (2nd sections, 12th state)
• Arthur Wei (Wayzata) – 100 Yard Backstroke (2nd sections)
• Jeffrey Lan (Wayzata) – 100 Yard Freestyle (2nd sections), 100 Yard Backstroke (6th sections)
• Rey Dommaraju (Wayzata) – 100 Yard Freestyle (3rd sections)
• Nikola Momtchev (Wayzata) – 100 Yard Freestyle (4th sections)
• Thomas Gendreau (Wayzata) – 1m Diving (2nd sections, 15th state)
• Connor Hobot (Park Center) – 50 Yard Freestyle (8th sections)
• Nash Woodward (Champlin Park) – 100 Yard Breaststroke (7th sections)
• Rhett Simonson (Champlin Park) – 1m Diving (8th sections)
• Abie Skelton Harris (Robbinsdale Cooper–Armstrong) – 100 Yard Freestyle (6th sections)

One of the few sections that remain untouched this season.  Wayzata appears to be in good shape to dominate again.  Irondale will look to maintain their solid runner-up spot.

Wayzata returns a massive wave of talent across every stroke and distance, giving them one of the strongest returning groups in the section. In freestyle, the Trojans bring back Tristan Farrey, Finn Kirven, Jacob Zolotov, and Andrew Lerdal, all of whom scored top-seven finishes in the 200 Free, while Noah Landry (1st in the 50 Free) and Aleksandr Pershin bolster a fast sprint group. The Trojans also bring elite young IM and fly talent in Jerry Lou—the defending section champion in the 200 IM (5th at state) and runner-up in the 100 Fly (4th at state)—and Nathan Carr, who won the 100 Fly (2nd at state) and the 100 Back (4th at state). Eli Kishish adds elite distance credibility with wins in both the IM and 500 Free.  Aditya Nair, who placed 7th in the 100 Back and Jack Beukelman  who placed 6th in the 500 Free will add even more top 8 depth.  Divers Harper Fang and Jasper Fang give Wayzata additional depth on the boards. With finalists returning in nearly every event and multiple state medalists leading the lineup, Wayzata enters the season as a heavy favorite to control the top of the section.

Irondale returns a high-impact senior core, led by middle-distance standout Lucas Megahan, who won the 200 Free and placed 6th at state, and also finished 4th in the 100 Fly (6th at state). In sprint events, Isaac Botten provides strong range with a runner-up finish in the 50 Free and a 2nd-place finish in the 500 Free. The Knights also return Samuel Reichert and Dylan Zabrowski, who add depth in the 100 Free, and Kai Nelson, who scored in the IM. Their returning strength is heavily concentrated in the 200/500 Free and butterfly, with strong sprint support behind them. With a reliable blend of top-end performers and additional scoring depth, Irondale remains one of the most competitive teams outside of Wayzata.

Champlin Park brings back several high-value scorers, highlighted by Kiptyn Helmrick, who finished 3rd in the 200 Free and added a top-four performance in the 100 Back. Distance support comes from Henry Finke, who placed 4th in the IM and 5th in the 100 Fly, and the Rebels also return strong diving depth through Collin Kane. Additionally, Champlin Park benefits from solid sprint scoring in the 100 Free with consistent finalists throughout the roster. With meaningful contributors in nearly every discipline, Champlin Park fields a well-rounded group capable of delivering points in both strokes and freestyle events.

Spring Lake Park returns a strong nucleus of stroke and mid-distance swimmers. Isaac Wicks placed 5th in the 200 IM, while Gabriel Bacig finished 7th in the 50 Free and added another finals swim in the 100 Fly. Patrick Ketz (8th in the 500 Free) provides distance stability, helping the team cover multiple lanes in the longest event. With returning talent across IM, sprint, fly, and distance, Spring Lake Park remains a well-balanced program with the potential to improve placement through growing depth.

Maple Grove’s strength begins on the boards, where Pengxu Lor delivered a section title in diving (3rd at state), supported by fellow finalist Oliver Timothy (3rd). In the pool, the Crimson return scoring from Daniel Sher in the 100 Breaststroke.  With exceptional diving depth and promising young stroke talent, Maple Grove has the foundation to remain competitive in total points and could make major relay gains as its underclassmen continue to develop.

Osseo returns one of the section’s best young sprinters in Brady Landstad, who placed 5th in the 50 Free, and top-eight backstroker Brandon Kot. Distance support comes from Wesley Cross, who placed 7th in the 500 Free, while Mason Krings anchors breaststroke scoring after winning the event and finishing 7th at state. With competitive athletes in sprint, breaststroke, backstroke, and distance, Osseo brings back meaningful scoring across the meet lineup and remains a well-rounded mid-tier challenger.

Cooper–Armstrong returns strong distance ability through JJ Degroot, who placed 4th in the 500 Free, and IM talent through Elliot Suby, who scored in the 200 IM. Sprint support is developing, and as the team continues to grow its younger swimmers, Cooper–Armstrong remains competitive in select events with room for improvement in overall depth.