John Marshall junior John Becker is a pretty versatile swimmer and he's used to winning section titles. But he surprised himself just a bit on Saturday during the Section 1AA meet in Rochester.
Becker won a pair of individual section titles for the second straight year and was one of two John Marshall competitors to earn a state berth.
Becker claimed the section championship in the 200 individual medley for a third straight year.
"That was my third straight year, so it feels pretty good," said Becker, who went on to claim second in the state in the 200 IM last year. He posted a winning time of 1:54.98, well off his winning time last year. But this year he's looking ahead.
"I wasn't fully tapered, so hopefully I can go faster at state," Becker said.
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Becker also earned an individual state berth in the 100 breaststroke last year. At the recent Big Nine Conference Meet he also won the 100 freestyle in meet-record time. For the section meet he switched gears and swam — very well — in the 100 backstroke.
"I was most shocked with the 100 backstroke," Becker said.
Becker won the event in 51.23, which is a John Marshall school record.
"A school record wasn't even in my head, but I was able to go out and swim out of my head," Becker said.
"John Becker had an amazing time," Mayo freshman Grant Reeves said.
Reeves also earned a state berth in the 100 backstroke by placing second.
That Reeves was able to earn a state berth is a testament to himself. The former club swimmer, in his first varsity year at Mayo, has hardly practiced the last four months due to a back injury.
"It feels very good," Reeves said of his state berth. "And it hasn't been the ideal season for me."
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Most of workouts have come out of the water, making his strong section finish all the more impressive.
"I don't need surgery," he said, "I just need time to heal."
Both John Marshall and Mayo also had one diver earn a state berth.
JM sophomore Brennigan Las placed second with 344.55 points for his first state berth.
"I got a better (section) score last year, but the competition wasn't as strong this year," Las said. "But it does (feel good)."
Mayo junior Austin Castro also earned his first state berth. He was third with 312.70 points. "I'm exited," he said.
Castro said he sent the tone for a strong finish with his first dive Saturday, a back somersault with a 1 1/2 twist.
"I didn't think I was going to make that," he said.
