Pioneer swimming tops Huron and Bedford, can't catch University School

Pioneer's Kevin Naud powers his way to a second place finish in the 200 freestyle during Saturday's quadrangular swim meet at Pioneer High School. (Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com)

Finals week can throw a wrench in a team's rhythm.

Pioneer High School swimming coach Denny Hill, in his 42nd year, knows this more than anyone.

"Typically, with finals and all that stuff, the kids' heads are kind of mushy," admitted Hill, whose team practiced once this past week due to finals. "You think they'd do better because they had more rest, but the exams kind of take it out of them."

Nevertheless, Hill and the Pioneers managed to outlast cross-town rival Huron (117-69) and Temperance Bedford (137-43), both Southeastern Conference foes.

Pioneer, however, couldn't keep up with Huntington Valley (Ohio) University School, falling 97-86 on Saturday in quadrangular-meet action at Pioneer. (Rest of the Story & Photo Gallery | Results)