High school swimming: Saint Joseph's Sam Sierra, Elkhart's Lucas Byrd are NIC co-MVPs

A trio of individuals earned top honors from the Northern Indiana Conference for the 2021-22 boys swimming season.

The duo of Sam Sierra of Saint Joseph and Lucas Byrd of Elkhart shared Co-Most Valuable Player honors for the league. Sierra won and also set NIC records in both the 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly events, while Byrd won and set an NIC record in the 100 freestyle and also won the 100 breaststroke event at the conference meet.

Riley coach John VanDriessche was saluted as the NIC Coach of the Year.

► More: High school swimming: Why Saint Joe's Sam Sierra was destined to end up at Notre Dame

► More: HS Swimming: Penn, Concord boys secure sectional championships

Penn won the NIC boys swim title, going 9-0 in league dual meets and claiming first in the conference meet.

Honored as All-NIC selections were Chris Oberlie, Collin Fleming, Nate Reininga and Trista Zuyderwyk of Penn in the 200 medley relay. Also tabbed were the 200 freestyle relay team of Tristan Zuyderwyk, Nathan Grant, Collin Fleming and Reid Ohlson of Penn and the 400 freestyle relay team of Chris Oberlie, Nathan Grant, Reid Ohlson and Nate Reininga of Penn.

Earning All-NIC honors as individual league meet champions were Nathan Grant of Penn (200 freestyle, 500 freestyle), Ike Ruzskowski of Riley (200 IM), Mason Young of New Prairie (50 freestyle), Tomas Salas of Penn (diving), Sam Sierra of Saint Joseph (100 backstroke, 100 butterfly), Lucas Byrd of Elkhart (100 freestyle, 100 breaststroke).

All-NIC honorable mention: 200 Medley Relay: Ike Ruzskowski, Chris Bartmess, Joel Kricheff and Ashton Maurer (Riley), Logan Davis, Lucas Byrd, Gabe Kazmierczak and Gavin Sommer (Elkhart), Gavin Pizarek, Joe Pumroy, Ethan Radtke and Tristan Peterson (New Prairie). 200 Freestyle: Jarek Ruszkowski (Riley), Nate Temeles (Penn), Rhys Holt (Penn). 200 IM: Collin Fleming (Penn), Chris Bartmess (Riley), Gabe Kazmierczak (Elkhart). 50 Freestyle: Max Christianson (Marian), Tristan Zuyderwyk (Penn), Gabe Groves (New Prairie). Diving: Nick Hardy (Elkhart), Zondre Riles (Riley), Mathias VanderZwaag (Elkhart).

All-NIC honorable mention: 100 Butterfly: Nate Reininga (Penn), Tristan Zuyderwyk (Penn), Joel Kricheff (Riley). 100 Freestyle: Mason Young (New Prairie), Max Christianson (Marian), Reid Ohlson (Penn). 500 Freestyle: Nate Temeles (Penn), Jarek Ruszkowski (Riley), Chris Howell (Penn). 200 Freestyle Relay: Gabe Groves, Landon Farmer, Roman Piergalski and Mason Young (New Prairie), Ashton Maurer, Paddy Chapman, JT Reim and Jarek Ruszkowkski (Riley), Alex Metros, Nate Temeles, David Son and Bobby Dylla (Penn). 100 Backstroke: Ike Ruzskowski (Riley), Nate Reininga (Penn), Chris Oberlie (Penn). 100 Breaststroke: Chris Bartmess (Riley), Collin Fleming (Penn), Alistair Hollis (Riley). 400 Freestyle Relay:Gabe Groves, Landon Farmer, Roman Piergalski, and Mason Young (New Prairie), Ashton Maurer, Paddy Chapman, Cooper VanDriessche and Jarek Ruszkowski (Riley), Gabe Kazmierczak, Gavin Sommer, Lucas Byrd and Logan Davis (Elkhart).

The All-NIC selections were determined by the top four finishers in each event at the NIC Meet.

Final NIC Overall Standings: Penn, Riley, New Prairie, Elkhart, Adams, Bremen, Saint Joseph, Marian, Clay, Washington.

Final NIC Dual Meet Standings: Penn 9-0, Riley 8-1, New Prairie 7-2, Elkhart 6-3, Adams 6-3, Bremen 4-5, Marian 2-7, Saint Joseph 2-7, Washington 1-8, Clay 1-8.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: The All-Northern Indiana Conference high school boys swim team for 2021-22