Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Kretz wins 2 medals at state meet
Andy Krutsinger
Feb. 18, 2021 12:00 am, Updated: Feb. 18, 2021 6:27 pm
MARION - One of the best performances by a Fairfield athlete this year didn't come from someone wearing a Trojan uniform.
Kevin Kretz, who swims for the Ottumwa Bulldogs, placed sixth in the 50-meter freestyle and seventh in the 100-meter at the boys state swimming meet last weekend at the Linn-Mar Community School District Aquatic Center.
Kretz already had Ottumwa's school record of 21.37 seconds in the 50-meter freestyle, but he lowered that to 21.3 seconds.
Kretz had previously broke that record in 2020. Rod Starkweather held the 50-meter freestyle from 1983 until last season, the longest-standing record in Ottumwa swimming history.
Kretz swam the 100-meter freestyle in 46.79 seconds. Kretz, a senior, qualified for state all four years and lowered his times and places in each consecutive year.
'State was a lot of fun because I swam in the relays this year,” Kretz said. 'We had a lot of talented guys and everybody went faster at state than they did during the year.”
The big day from Kretz helped Ottumwa finish 18th as a team, with 25 points. Waukee won the state meet with 268.5 points.
'We have a rock star here,” said Fairfield athletic director Jeff Courtwright. 'He's one of those students that is involved in a lot of stuff. He is friendly, courteous, classy. He has all the Trojan traits. He had to go show Ottumwa how we operate here.”
KEVIN KRETZ