Sophomore Allison Deuter, Iron Mountain sophomore Bryce Johnson and junior Ella McLean will attempt to defend individual Upper Peninsula swim titles at Saturday’s championship meet in Marquette. (Ron Deuter photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN – The best high school swimmers in the U.P. converge Saturday at Marquette Senior High School for the U.P. Swimming and Diving Finals.

Kingsford, which captured five individual and two relay titles at last year’s finals, is sending 16 swimmers to the meet, many having qualified for multiple events. The roster includes three defending U.P. individual champions in sophomore Allison Deuter (50 freestyle), junior Ella McLean (100 breaststroke) and Iron Mountain sophomore Bryce Johnson (100 butterfly).

Deuter leads the group of 10 Flivver girls headed to the finals. In addition to her 50 free title last year as a freshman, Deuter finished third in a tight finish for the 100 butterfly. She heads into Saturday second in the U.P. total power points, trailing only Kaytlin Roell of Marquette.

Deuter has clocked the U.P.’s fastest girls times in the 50 free, 100 free and 200 IM this season. She holds the second fastest times in the 200 free, 500 free and 100 backstroke. Swimmers can compete in two individual events at the finals. In addition to defending her 50 free title where she will be up against Roell, Deuter hopes to add a 100 victory as well.

McLean is looking to defend her 100 breaststroke crown, an event she hasn’t lost in this season. She has the fastest time in the event as well. McLean also is qualified in the 50 free, 100 free and 200 IM – the 200 looking like her other event for Saturday.

Johnson pulled off an upset in the 100 fly at last year’s finals, and he’ll be looking to add a backstroke title this time around. Johnson is the favorite there as he has dominated the event all season including posting the U.P.’s only sub one minute swim in the event this season with a 58.86 a few weeks back. Johnson, one of six Flivver boys competing, holds the fastest seed time for a defense of his fly title. He also qualified in the 50 free, 100 free and 200 IM.

Other boys competing for Kingsford and looking to snag titles for the first time include junior Thomas Gibbons, who is the favorite with the fastest seeds times in the breaststroke and 200 IM. Gibbons also qualified in the 50 free, 100 free, 200 free and 100 fly.

Senior Sam Lamirand qualified in the 50 free, 100 free, 200 free and 100 back. He’ll swim the 100 and 200 Saturday. Senior David Arcand qualified in five events (50 free, 100 free, 200 free, 100 fly, 200 IM). He’ll swim the 200 IM and fly. Junior Quinten Smith is qualified in the 50 and 100 free, and freshman Michael Covitz made the cut for the 500 free.

Additional qualifiers for the girls team include sophomore Aubree Peterson (50 free, 100 free, 200 free, 500 free, 100 back, 100 fly, 200 IM). She enters Saturday as the fastest seed time in the 500 free, and she’ll swim the 200 free. Junior Kailey Matuszewski (50 free, 100 free, 100 back, 100 breast, 200 IM) will compete in the 200 IM and breaststroke. Senior Marley Dixon (100 free, 200 free, 500 free, 100 back, 200 IM) plans to swim the 200 free and the backstroke.

Iron Mountain senior Elena Nelson (200 free, 500 free, 200 IM) will swim the 500 free and 200 IM. Sophomore Gianna Novara battled a shoulder injury this season but still qualified in the 100 free and added 100 back at last week’s JV finals. Junior Oliva Sage is qualified in the 100 free and 100 back. Junior Jocelyn Lindbeck will battle in the 200 and 500 free, and Norway junior Myah Gilroy is qualified in the 50 free.

Relay lineups don’t have to be revealed until meet day. The Flivvers last year won the boys 200 medley and the girls 400 free.