NORTH COUGARS
With graduation taking the top three point-scorers away, including distance ace Elizabeth Munroe (Columbia), this year’s team will have a different look.
Back are versatile sophomore Alex Starry (100 breaststroke, 200 individual medley), who is working her way into swimming shape after volleyball; senior Chelsea White (distance freestyles), a team leader and motivator, and juniors Shannon White (100 back) and Corda Landrey (freestyles).
Also returning are improving seniors Justina Grant (sprint freestyles) and Celina Nierzwicki (200 individual medley, 100 backstroke) and sophomore Alissa Kristoff (sprint freestyles).
“We’ll be pretty strong in all the freestyle events,” said head coach Sarah Fiden, who expects to field a strong 400 freestyle relay team. “You can’t replace someone like Munroe, you just have to have someone step up. They are all training faster than they were last year. They’ve worked hard over the summer.”
Also look for freshman Emma Mumper (freestyles, 100 butterfly) and foreign exchange student Didi Vacoua (200 individual medley, 100 breaststroke, 100 butterfly) to score some points this year.
Diver Michelle Peneff, a senior, is also back for new diving coach Taylor Roberts, a former diver for Indiana.
SOUTH PANTHERS
This team is deep and talented at every event. That should lead to a lot of team victories and in the long run, should also make for strong relays, with all three looking to make it to state.
“We’re pretty solid all the way around,” coach Andrew Cornett said. “We’re pretty deep in all three spots in each individual event. With Columbus North in our sectional and conference, the big challenge will be to run with them.”
Top athletes back include diver Chelsea McKeen, a sophomore who was a regional champ and placed 14th at state last year as the Panthers’ lone representative. She heads a strong group of six for diving coach Lindsay Weigle that includes senior Katelynn Keel and freshman Rachel Schaefer.
Top swimmers back include senior Kathryn Sullivan, who is ranked 15th in the state in the 100 breaststroke and will also swim the 50 freestyle; junior Kelly Gifford (100 backstroke, sprint freestyles and butterfly); senior Phoebe Hodina (200-500 freestyle) and senior Harper Lodge-Rigal (sprint freestyles, 100 back).
Junior Shelby Stultz (distance freestyles) and sophomore Haley Blorstad (100 freestyle, 100 breaststroke) will look to step up. Top newcomers include talented freshman Casey Papp (100 butterfly, 200 freestyle).
“The good thing is that we have talented swimmers spread throughout our classes,” Cornett said.
EDGEWOOD MUSTANGS
The defending Western Indiana Conference champs are looking to repeat behind a bevy of strong swimmers.
Leading the way is Samantha Roberts, one of only two seniors, who is after a third trip to state and is focusing on the 200 individual medley.
The strong junior class includes Alexis Roberts (no relation) in the sprint freestyles; Lindsey Phillips (200 individual medley, 100 breaststroke, 500 freestyle), who had a strong off-season with the Counsilman Center Indiana Swim Team, and Lorann Brown, a butterflier who has an improved stroke.
Junior Kayla Hackman, in between cross country, track and cheerleading, has also found time to be one of the area’s top divers and will work with new coach Alex Burns, a former Mustang and IU standout. Sophomore Abby Bowman is also back in the freestyle sprints.
Top additions include freshman Hunter Mossbrucker (butterfly, individual medley and sprint freestyles) and Sarah Ratliff (sprint freestyles, 100 back) and sophomore Rachel Mullinnix (distance freestyles, 100 back).
“We had a pretty young team the past few years and not the power is in our junior and senior classes,” Edgewood coach Erica Musselwhite said. “We have a mature team and a little more depth than we’ve had in the past. It’s a good group of girls who have put in a lot of time and effort and it’s going to pay off this year.”
OWEN VALLEY PATRIOTS
South graduate Leslie Shafer is in her second year as head coach as the 3-year-old program continues to grow.
She has eight swimmers so far to work with, but seven of them are freshmen with no racing experience so there’s plenty to learn before the Dec. 9 opener.
The only returning swimmer is junior Alexis Broukal, who also plays golf and is a manager for the wrestling team.
“The seven freshmen are all enthusiastic and we’re hoping to get more,” Shafer said. “My biggest goal is that I’m just hoping to make swimming available to more people and instill a love for the sport in our young swimmers. The girls are athletic and smart. We’re working on teaching them to be good swimmers. The work ethic is there.”
5 MEETS TO WATCH
South at Center Grove, Nov. 18: Season opener is against No. 3 Trojans.
Sister City Meet, at South, Dec. 6: Brings together Bloomington schools to take on Terre Haute’s North and South
Conference Indiana at Franklin Central, Jan. 17: South and North battle Columbus North for team title.
South at Columbus North, Jan. 20: Dual pits Panthers against No. 4 Bull Frogs.
North at South, Jan. 24 at Royer Pool: Intra-city rivaly brings out best in each team.
7 ATHLETES TO WATCH
Samantha Roberts, Edgewood, Sr.: Went to state in 200 individual medley as sophomore and is focusing on getting back.
Kathryn Sullivan, South, Sr.: Ranked 15th in 100 breaststroke; will also swim 50 freestyle.
Chelsea McKeen, South, So.: Diver won regional, finished 14th at state last year.
Kelly Gifford, South, Jr.: Third in 100 backstroke at sectional last year. Also in sprint freestyles and butterfly.
Phoebe Hodina, South, Sr.: In top five in distance freestyles in the sectional last year.
Alex Starry, North, So.: Versatile, but best in 100 breast and 200 IM.
Harper Lodge-Rigal, South, Sr.: Tough in sprint freestyles and 100 backstrke.
Source: heraldtimesonline.com
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