Sunset's Luca Ignatescu (left) and Victor Krautsov (right) each won two individual titles in the 6A championships last year.

Sunset's Luca Ignatescu and Victor Krautsov left last year's 6A swimming championships with unfinished business.

They accomplished their personal goals by going 4 for 4, each winning two individual titles and participating on two first-place relays. But the Apollos fell short of winning their first team title since 2014, finishing as runners-up to Metro League rival Jesuit for the second year in a row.

Now seniors, Igatescu and Krautsov feel a sense of urgency before heading off to college careers. Both aspire to challenge state records, but capturing that elusive team title is foremost on their minds.

“Jesuit usually comes out on top, but this year we have a strong roster,” Ignatescu said. “I think Victor and I, we can team up with them and hopefully we can do something special. The goal is to bring home a state title.”

Krautsov said the Apollos' chances of taking state are “extremely strong.”

“We've had all these years of training and we know what we're up against,” Krautsov said. “The state championships, we've been there multiple times. We're all talking about it. We're all excited about it.”

Ignatescu, who has signed with Minnesota, won 6A titles in the 200-yard individual medley and 500 freestyle last year. Krautsov, who is leaning toward continuing his career at the University of Hawaii, was the champion in the 100 and 200 freestyle races. They also swam legs on the winning 200 and 400 freestyle relays, helping the Apollos repeat in both events.

This year, Ignatescu is taking aim at the OSAA meet record in the 500 freestyle. His personal best of 4:29.90 is within range of the mark of 4:25.02, set by Jesuit's Diego Nosack in 2023.

“I think if I have a great race, I could do that,” Ignatescu said.

To repeat in the 200 IM, Ignatescu likely will have to turn back Nelson senior Drew Eubanks. The Tennessee-bound Eubanks, an elite breaststroker, beat Ignatescu by one second in the 200 IM in the Speedo Winter Junior Championships West meet in December.

“One of my major goals is to try to win that 200 IM,” Ignatescu said. “I've got a tough race with Eubanks. He's obviously got a very strong breaststroke, but my goal is just to come out on top. The goal is to go back-to-back.”

Krautsov is threatening to take down the OSAA meet record in the 200 freestyle. His best time is 1:38.38 and the record is 1:37.27, established by Century's Luke Thornbrue in 2019.

“I'm really looking forward to that 200 free record,” Krautsov said. “I do want to take it, and hopefully it will stand for a while.”

As sophomores, Ignatescu and Krautsov helped Sunset set an OSAA meet record in the 400 freestyle relay (3:06.09) and win the 200 freestyle relay.

Last year, they showed the way as the Apollos defended their titles in the 400 freestyle relay (3:06.20) and the 200 freestyle relay, which clocked 1:25.01, just off the OSAA meet record of 1:25.00 (Lake Oswego, 2022).

With Ignatescu, Krautsov and sophomore Nicolas Miller returning from the championship relay teams, Sunset is in position not only to rack up big points, but to rewrite the records. Finding a fourth relay member to replace the graduated Dean Koenders is key, but the Apollos are confident they will fill the spot.

“It looks promising,” Krautsov said. “We have a few kids on the team who are pretty quick sprinters. I know we can bring down our own record.”

Ignatescu expects the improvement of sophomores Miller and Sam Goktas, who placed fifth in the 500 freestyle at state, to be a key factor.

“I'm excited to see how these guys do,” Ignatescu said. “These guys could drop a lot. My freshman and sophomore year I had big drops.”

Ignatescu trains with Tualatin Hills Thunderbolts and Krautsov is with Beaverton Area Aquatic Club. Their club teammates are from several high schools, including Jesuit, and Ignatescu and Krautsov embrace the rivalry.

“In the high school season, my club teammates are my enemies,” Ignatescu said. “When the season is over, we're back to teammates. For this season, my goal is just to take them down.”