ADRIAN — For Adrian senior Kade Opsal, the journey to the top of the podium didn’t begin at the state meet  but with uncertainty.

After breaking his wrist last fall, Opsal wasn’t sure he would have a season.

Instead, he ended it as a state champion.

Opsal captured the Division 3 title in the 100-yard backstroke, clocking a time of 49.20 seconds, then added  a runner-up finish in the 50 freestyle (20.87), highlighting a strong weekend for both Adrian and Tecumseh at the MHSAA Division 3 state finals, March 13-14 at the Holland Aquatic Center.

Adrian coach Robert Petkus said Opsal’s performance was the result of months of careful planning and perseverance.

“One of the biggest highlights of the meet was Kade winning the 100 backstroke,” Petkus said. “He broke his wrist in the fall and was unsure if he could even swim the season.”

Cleared to return to the water just one day before the season began, Opsal spent more than a month limited to kicking drills while rebuilding strength and endurance.

“We made a plan of kicking only for over a month to build endurance and work on his underwaters,” Petkus said. “This paid off in the long run.”

Opsal’s success helped anchor a sizable Adrian contingent at the state meet, where the Maples qualified eight swimmers and an alternate — one of the program’s largest groups in recent years.

“It’s really nice to have that many freshmen,” Petkus said.

Adrian also saw contributions across the lineup, including a ninth-place finish in the 200 medley relay (1:40.00) and individual state qualifiers like freshman Chase Rosales, who earned his spot in the 100 breaststroke. Junior Ian Baker had strong finishes in the 200 freestyle (21st) and the 100 fly (32nd). 

Petkus pointed to Rosales’ qualifying swim at the SEC meet as a turning point in Adrian’s season.

“That swim was one of the meet-changing moments that solidified our SEC title,” he said.

Senior captains Opsal and Noah Judson helped guide the team through a season that ended on a high note. Judson also qualified individually in the 500 freestyle, with a 19th-place finish.

“This season concluded very well with our senior captains helping guide the team to a positive place to swim fast,” Petkus said.

Tecumseh also made strides at the state level, sending multiple swimmers and a relay to the Division 3 finals despite significant challenges throughout the season.

“The coaches are incredibly impressed by our team’s effort over the course of the year,” Tecumseh coach Ben Newcomb said. “To have as much success as we did with all the extra travel due to the pool being closed is a testament to the hard work they put in.”

With their home pool closed for an extended period, Tecumseh swimmers have been traveling to Dundee High School for practices — a routine that has tested both consistency and commitment. In January, the district announced plans to demolish the existing pool.

Senior Sam Warren led the way for the Indians, qualifying in multiple events, including the 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly, while freshman Max Husband also competed in the butterfly.  Warren and Husband along with Carter Bortell and Brayden DePew also had a strong showing in the 200 medley relay, clocking a time of 1:45.53 for 20th place.

Tecumseh’s presence extended beyond individual events. The program qualified a relay for the state meet for the first time in more than five years and also sent Betz in as a diver — another sign of growth. Looking back at the season, Newcomb sees hope for the program’s future. With two freshmen — Husband and Allison Betz — qualifying, momentum is building.

“That’s a major achievement that shows where our team can go in the coming years,” he said.