Falcons prove they belong in Red, progress in division jump

STERLING HEIGHTS — Earning a league championship can create a sense of pride for a team, especially in Henry Ford II boys swim and dive’s case, where last year’s Macomb Area Conference White title was the school’s first since 1996.

The defending champion then sets their sight on becoming back-to-back winners, eventually sustaining a period of success in the league.

Not Ford.

Immediately following their successful season, Ford moved up to the MAC Red, the MAC’s toughest conference.

“There’s a lot more top-end guys in the Red than there is in the White, so our biggest thing this year was, ‘Let’s prove to everyone why we belong in the Red,’ and they were doing a good job of that,” Ford head coach Austin Bateman said. “They were winning meets, and then the mindset flipped to how we proved that we’re supposed to be here, but we need everyone to see us as a threat.”

Returning junior all-State swimmer Max Dexter, the Falcons made an immediate impact in the Red, finishing third with a 3-2 league record.

Dexter, a state qualifier in the 50 and 100 freestyle, defended his county championship in both events at the Macomb County Championships Feb. 3 at Macomb L’Anse Creuse North High School, leading Ford to a fourth-place finish in a field of 18 teams. Dexter was also the league champion in the 200 freestyle and runner-up in the 100 freestyle.

Coming off an eighth place finish at the Division 1 state finals, Dexter has elevated his skillset this season as one of the top swimmers in the state, and Bateman said his preparation for races has been a key change.

“This year, he has a better understanding of his races,” Bateman said. “Last year, we worked on the structure of his swimming, like having a gameplan going into every race instead of just letting things happen and reacting.”

Moving up required everyone to be at the top of their game, and a plethora of swimmers answered the call for Ford.

Six-foot-five senior Sean Miller, a three-year varsity swimmer, was as consistent as they came in the 50, 100, and 200 freestyle for Ford. Miller ended his regular season swimming career with a first-place finish at the LCN Invitational Feb. 27 at L’Anse Creuse North High School, but has plenty left in him as Dexter, Miller, senior Owen Baker and senior Lucas Castillo are state qualifiers in the 200 medley relay set to race March 8 at Oakland University.

Ford’s senior group brought everything a veteran group is supposed to as Baker, Castillo, Tyler Massmann and Grant Adams were all reliable contributors for Ford.

While putting up productive times throughout the season, Bateman said, Massmann’s role as a leader was immeasurable.

“He’s had two older brothers that have come through the program,” Bateman said. “Both of them were captains and leaders, and he’s been a captain for his junior and senior year. He’s done a good job of being an example-setter. Kids know that when they’re in the water, they work hard because Tyler (Massmann) works hard.”

The mentorship of the veterans showed early as Ford was home to a few breakout stars in junior Jaden House, junior Owen Mantie, junior Evan Cicilian and sophomore Tayshaun Wong.

House, who will be the primary diver with Castillo and Adams both graduating, put extensive focus into the weight room over the offseason. The preparation paid off for House as he and Castillo both qualified  in the 1-meter diving event Feb. 29 at Oxford High School, punching their ticket to the Division 1 state finals.

Only a sophomore, Bateman is tabbing Wong, who gained attention as a strong swimmer his freshman year, as the “one to watch for” next season as Wong was impressive in the 200 and 500 freestyle for Ford this year.

Bateman said confidence has been the key factor in the progression of each of his guys.

“Last year was the big switch in the mentality of our boys program,” Bateman said. “We weren’t just here to participate and, hopefully, get some relays to qualify for MISCA, but we’re here to compete, do something, and let the MAC know that Ford is one of the better programs.”

Ford will look to put a successful stamp on the 2024 campaign at the Division 1 state finals, but there’s a lot to like about where the program is headed.

With a talented incoming senior group and underclassmen looking to take the next step, the Falcons will look to once again be contenders in the Red.

“I am very excited for senior year and all of the opportunities, especially in leadership,” Dexter said. “I hope that I can bring the team closer together like we have been doing for the past two years.”