Cheers echoed off the walls and the smell of chlorine filled the air as the 2012-2013 girls swim season began. The swimmers first meet was against their rival, Villa Duchesne, who won by many points last year.
The the 200 Medley Relay team lined up behind the block and prepared to begin the meet and the season. Lauren Massot, freshman, Kaitlin Kittleson, sophomore, Leah Votava, junior, and Ellie Straub, senior, not only beat Villa and won the meet, but also broke the school record with a time of 1:58.03. A couple meets later, the relay broke their own record again by more than a second with a time of 1:56.83. The state cut time this year in the relay is 1:58.99.
“Making state was the best feeling ever. I couldn’t believe the time we got and how easily and early we achieved our goal,” said Votava.
Last year, the 200 Medley Relay team went to state after easily making the state cut and breaking the school record. The team placed twenty-ninth with a time of 1:58.89.
“Honestly I wasn’t expecting to make state that first meet because we were out of shape and just getting back into swimming. I was expecting the state time to be something we work up to throughout the season. I was so excited and proud of all of us,” said Kittleson.
This is Kittelson’s second season swimming with the team. Last season, Kittleson barely missed the state cut in the 100 breaststroke by about 1 second several different times. The cut this year is 1:12.49. Although the state cut got faster, so did Kittelson.
“Getting the state cut in the 100 breaststroke is one of my goals for this season. Although the time has been lowered this year, I am determined to get it. I even made a bet with our assistant coach that if I make state she will dye her hair blue for the state meet,” said Kittelson.
Marjean Kempen, assistant coach, is a new addition to the team this year. Since the team is so large this year, Kempen helps run the practices.
“Assistant coach Kempen has added so much in terms of coaching skills, passion for the sport and just plain lovin’ the girls!” said Kent Kehr, head coach.
Another important new member of the team is Lauren Massot, freshman, who swims year-round on the highest level of Parkway Swim Club. Massot qualified for state in the 200 Medley Relay, 100 backstroke, and 100 butterfly all in the first meet. The state time for the 100 back is 1:04.49, and Massot swam a 1:01.54, beating the time by nearly three seconds.
“My favorite event is the 100 back. I am excited to swim the event at state,” said Massot.
Massot will also be swimming the 100 butterfly at state this year. The cut is 1:02.99, which Massot achieved by swimming a 1:02.63.
“Lauren adds speed and skill with a dose of humility. She has helped rewrite the 200 Medley Relay record and is zeroing in on the the back record. With all her talents, her greatest is just how humble she is on the deck and with the other team members. Great to see God working in her heart that way!” said Kehr.
Not only is the girls’ swim team exceptionally good this year, the team is also the biggest it has ever been. Fifty-two swimmers are on the team, which is ten more than last year.
“This is my first year on the team. I signed up for the swim team because everyone says swimming is fun and I wanted to experience a new sport,” said Olivia Coomes, sophomore.
Many students joined the team because the swim team is known for it’s camaraderie.
“It was a challenge at first, but we’ve been able to work through the numbers so I think everyone is getting the coaching and competition they need,” said Kehr.
Ellie Straub, senior, is captain of the swim team. Straub specializes in the 100 free and the 100 back. Straub is also going to state in the 200 Medley Relay, swimming the freestyle leg.
“My favorite part about this year is our 200 Medley Relay. We have worked so hard to perfect every little thing in that relay, and it’s so exciting to keep trying to break the record every meet. That’s the first event, so when we win that event, it pumps us up for the rest of the meet and it gets us ready to perform well in our other events,” said Straub.
So far, the team is 9-2. They have defeated teams including Villa Duchesne, Ursuline, and Visitation. The teams two losses are to rivals MICDS and St. Joe.
“I love how close this team is, even though it’s large in numbers. I really like how everyone lifts up the others both in respect and encouragement,” said Kehr.
The swimmers never fail to create a cheerful atmosphere. Whether it is singing for two hours straight on a bus ride home from Cape Girardeau, or yelling their aquatic cheer before a meet, the swim team continues to be joyful.
“I will miss our team so much next year. I’ve grown really close to a lot of the girls and it’s been really fun to swim with some of my best friends throughout the years. I’ll also really miss Coach Kempen because this is her first year with the team and she is so great at encouraging us and getting us pumper for our races,” said Straub.
