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Swimming fans from across the Region have had Jan. 28 circled on their calendar for a single top-ranked reason: Chesterton at Munster.

In the state rankings, the boys are Nos. 1 (Munster) and 3 (Chesterton) based on their top times submitted to the state and the girls are Nos. 3 (Chesterton) and 10 (Munster).

The girls have already seen the potential in a head-to-head opportunity. At the Highland Invitational, Chesterton took six first-place finishes to Munster’s three, but it was in the depth where the Trojans really racked up their points. Chesterton finished with 16 second through sixth scores, including five thirds and five sixths. Munster had just 13 finishes lower than first, including eight seconds and nothing lower than fourth.

To open the season. Both Chesterton teams won their respective Hall of Fame Classic meets in December, before the defending state champion Trojans boys team was upset in the Homestead Invitational by Northridge.

On paper, the two teams match up so closely, in both genders. The times below are taken from the top times submitted to the state for predictor rankings. Keep in mind that times vary based on pool and race conditions and that each swimmer is allowed in only four events each; also remember that swimmers compete in various events over the season, so Kyle Whitaker could have the top times in more than four events, but on Thursday he’ll be in the four that give Chesterton the best chance to win the meet.

Chesterton vs. Munster predictor (Boys)
Medley Relay
Munster, 1:35.51
Chesterton, 1:37.25
This race is won in the lower places. A first here is a help, but how well the depth is distributed will be important. If Munster wins, but Chesterton takes second and third, those first-place points will be eliminated. Advantage: Chesterton

200 Free
Kyle Whitaker, Chesterton, 1:37.63
Dillon Thompson, Muster, 1:44.12
Tyler Fozkos, Chesterton, 1:45.22
Chesterton has the depth in this race, with Whitaker the state leader as the holder of the only sub-1:40 time in the state. But, Whitaker didn’t compete in this event at the state meet last season, when teammate Bill Bass took home the top honors. If Chesterton decides it needs Whitaker in other events, this will be a Fozkos/Thompson race. Advantage: Chesterton

200 IM
Kyle Whitaker, Chesterton, 1:47.83
Dillon Thompson, Munster, 1:56.72
Joe Wulf, Munster, 1:56.93
Patrick Raycroft, Munster, 2:00.40
This event is a Munster strength, where the ‘Stangs hold enough depth to conquer even a first or second place. If Chesterton opts to hold Whitaker back from this event, Munster could find itself with three finishers in the top four positions. Advantage: Munster

50 Free
Tyler Fozkos, Chesterton, 21.31
Joe Wulf, Munster, 21.91
Max Kilibarda, Munster, 22.36
Fozkos is the holder of the top time in the state, but his 20.62 came last season in the state meet prelims, before winning the event as just a sophomore. But, his season pr of 21.31 lists him only as good as fourth best in the state right now. So, this is a drag race between Fozkos and Wulf, a battle to the pad of no-breathers and out-muscling. Here’s another spot where depth is going to be huge. Advantage: Munster

Diving
Alex Olson, Chesterton, 271.40
Jake Brehmer, Chesterton, 262.10
T. Matt Poulos, Munster, 254.10
Olson and Brehmer are currently ranked Nos. 6 and 11 in the state respectively, giving Chesterton the clear advantage with a chance at 10 quick points. Advantage: Chesterton

100 Fly
Kyle Whitaker, Chesterton, 48.84
Kevin Behrens, Munster, 50.27
Tyler Fozkos, Chesterton, 53.35
Dillon Thompson, Munster, 53.92
This is the race fans came to see. With Whitaker and Behrens first and second in the state in this event last season, a difference of .18 of a second, this will be the fun one to watch. The money-maker in this one though, will go to the third-place finisher.Advantage: Chesterton

100 Free
Kyle Whitaker, Chesterton, 45.42
Kevin Behrens, Munster, 46.68
Tyler Fozkos, Chesterton, 47.82
Like Whitaker, you’ll see Behrens’ name appear more than four times on this list (he’s a staple in relays, too). This means that some of these races are fun to predict, but ultimately might not pan out if the coaches prefer to use their top athletes in other areas. Ultimately, this could be Fozkos’ race to lose. Advantage: Chesterton

500 Free
Kyle Whitaker, Chesterton, 4:28.23
Dillon Thompson, Munster, 4:44.07
Frank Rapin, Munster, 4:51.83
Tyler Fozkos, Chesterton, 4:53.33
Seeing sprinter Whitaker’s name at the top of this list is just proof that the Olympic trialist can do just about anything. The depth and advantage here really goes to Munster, because Thompson finished 10th in the state last year in this event behind eight seniors. Advantage: Munster

200 Free Relay
Munster, 1:28.84
Chesterton, 1:29.17
Munster’s time is fifth-best in the state while Chesterton’s is sixth. The makeup of these two relays — and who lands on the B relay — could make all the difference. Advantage: Chesterton

100 Back
Kyle Whitaker, Chesterton, 50.59
Kevin Behrens, Munster, 50.96
Murray Crabtree, Munster, 55.13
This could give fans a second chance to see Whitaker and Behrens dual for supremacy, with Behrens the defending second-place finisher in the event at the state meet last season. Advantage: Munster

100 Breast
Kyle Whitaker, Chesterton, 55.61
Joe Wulf, Munster, 58.01
Matthew Rosiecki, Chesterton, 1:02.66
Kevin Behrens, Munster, 1:00.48
Frank Rapin, Munster, 1:01.40
Patrick Raycroft, Munster, 1:02.60
The two obvious notes here is that Whitaker can win about any race and that Munster’s depth is clearly in the breaststroke. Advantage: Munster

400 Free Relay
Munster, 3:13.67
Chesterton, 3:16.47
The Mustangs are second in the state with their speedy time while Chesterton, nearly three seconds back, sits seventh-best. With two now-graduated seniors on the team, Chesterton out-paced Munster for second — to the ‘Stangs third — at the state meet last season. But Munster’s two graduated seniors swam in the first two legs, while Chesterton graduated its anchor. The difference in time at the state meet: 3 seconds. Advantage: Munster

Prediction for the final score: Chesterton 93, Munster 91

Come back on Tuesday to read a prediction of the girls meet.