Hopkins' Wilkerson Sets School Swimming Record

Hopkins High School senior Nick Wilkerson set a new school record in the 100-yard breaststroke at last week’s Boys Section 6AA Swimming and Diving Championships.

The Royals placed fourth overall in the meet, the team’s best finish since 2007, according to Coach Greg Bartz.

Wilkerson won the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 58.35, beating out Eden Prairie’s Griffin Back by half a second.

The previous school record was a time of 58.69 set by Kyle Branche in 2006, according to the Hopkins Swimming and Diving website.

Wilkerson qualified to compete in the state meet in the 200-yard individual medley and the 100-yard breaststroke.

Eighth grader Corey Lau qualified for state in the same race with a third-place finish and a time of 1:01.45.

Hopkins’ 200-yard medley relay team—which is made up of Wilkerson, Lau, junior Colin Lau and senior Dennis Dadashev—is also headed to state. The team finished fourth with a time of 1:40.48.

The state meet takes place Thursday through Saturday at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center. Race assignments are as follows:

200-yard medley relay team

• Event 1
• Heat 3, lane 1

Wilkerson: 200-yard individual medley

• Event 3
• Heat 4, lane 7

Lau: 100-yard breaststroke

• Event 11
• Heat 2, lane 2

Wilkerson: 100-yard breaststroke

• Event 11
• Heat 3, lane 4