Como Park High Cougar
Robert Wasiluk
By Eric Erickson, Social studies teacher
A 26-year-old St. Paul City Conference record was broken by the Como 200 Medley Relay team at the city meet in early February 2024. Cougar seniors Oskar Helegn, Kai Sackreiter, Kyle Kosiak, and sophomore Joey Schumacher combined to swim the four different required strokes in 1:40.64.
Coaches Jon Tufte and Steve Conery channeled the momentum from conference competition into training for the Section 3A Meet on Feb. 23, where the Cougars took third place overall (out of 13 teams) and qualified eight swimmers for the Minnesota State Meet. (The top three finishers for each event at sections advance to state.)
Kosiak became the section champion in the 100 Butterfly, finishing first and setting a new school record of 52.43. Kosiak set another school record in the 100 Backstroke while finishing in second place with a time of 55.72.
Schumacher also earned a section championship, winning the 100 Free. Sackreiter advanced to state with third place finishes in both the 50 Free and the 100 Breaststroke. Helgen qualified for state in the 200 Individual Medley.
Two relay teams also made it to state: the 400 Free with Garrett Seppanen, Adi Toe, Ian McKea, and Noah Williamson, plus the combo of Sackreiter, Schumacher, Seppanen and Kosiak in the 200 Freestyle.
Notable finishes in the state meet included Sackreiter who placed eleventh in the 50 Free, Kosiak who medaled with a sixth-place finish in the 100 Butterfly, and the 200 Free Relay team that placed tenth.
“I’m eternally grateful for what this team and family has brought me,” Kosiak said. “My teammates and I will be forever thankful that we were Como swimmers.”
Mural enhances entrance
A new colorful mural reflecting the Como community has been painted on a long wall that welcomes people into school at the front entrance. Courtney Veszi is an artist and first-year Como teacher who designed the mural.
Veszi has 19 years of teaching experience and has created several public art pieces in a variety of locations including restaurants, businesses, and city projects. She coordinated her effort with Como’s Family Engagement Committee. Students, staff, and parents were able to pitch in and paint during after-school sessions.
“Beautifying the world around us is a passion and I love having the opportunity to do that,” Veszi said. “Especially if it can involve students and those that aren’t normally traveling in the art world.”
Similarly, a mural representing Como Athletic teams was painted last spring in the lobby outside the gym that welcomes guests for Cougar games. Yusef Davis serves as Como’s Restorative Practices Coordinator and is also an artist. He designed the athletics mural in the school colors and included an outline of St. Paul’s skyline.
Students were proud to help paint with Davis’ encouragement and guidance, appreciative of being able to leave a legacy at their school.
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