By Ali Draves, For The Herald Bulletin
Swimming season is in full swing for Madison County as the winter months approach. Local coaches weigh in about their hopes for the season.
Anderson
This year, it’ll be up to the seniors to kick this team into third gear, according to head coach Jeff Eddy.
“We are very evenly spread out throughout the grades,” he said. “It’ll provide balance, but I’m looking at my seniors to provide the leadership it needs.”
Seth Morris and Jordan Eddy look to command in distance swimming, while Matt Gray and Steve Harmon will set the pace for sprinting. Gray, who missed qualifying for state by milliseconds last year, will be a key factor to this team because of his leadership and experience.
Eddy is also pleased with his freshmen class. He simply can’t wait to see where the wind takes them.
“It will be fun to watch them grow throughout the year,” Eddy said. “We might not see it early, but hopefully towards sectionals, it’ll start to show.”
Pendleton Heights
The numbers are up for the Arabians and head coach Jeff Maydak is ecstatic, to say the least.
“We have had bad numbers the last four or five years and it’s really hurt us,” he said. “But our numbers are good this year, we have a good group of freshman and we’re looking to make a big jump this year.”
In seasons past, the Arabians’ limited numbers have caused the team to focus on just the value of individual performances, and that is a big thing Maydak hopes to change this year.
“We need to put more emphasis on team victories and being competitive,” he said. “We are looking to finally break that 500 barrier.”
Junior Jacob Childress, who is ranked 16th in the state for backstroke and missed a state qualification by 100th of a second last year, will be a primary contender. Maydak hopes his bitterness towards his finale will spur a hunger for better results this year.
A noteworthy newcomer, Austin Parrish, is going to be helpful in all aspects and will fill every needed area. He is a well-rounded swimmer, according to Maydak.
Logan Kisinger and Josh Collier also will be swimmers to watch for as they make their big debut as Arabians.
Elwood
Head coach Tammy Douglas knows her team has potential state qualifiers.
Senior Collin Settig has come close to breaking school records and will be a jetsetter for the Panthers. He has a big chance to outdo his previous standings and make state this year, according to Douglas.
Likewise, senior Taylor Settig has already broken several school records in the 50-meter freestyle and should be a shoo-in for state.
And although her team is still small, there are some diamonds hiding somewhere in between.
Alexandria
Head coach Jamie Haase said this year will be more about competition than experience.
After graduating five seniors, his team looks a little thin. However, he has two potential competitors: senior Zach Powers and junior Jacob King.
Powers, who is a sprint freestyler, has a serious shot at state.
“Man, he can swim,” said Haase. “If anyone has a chance at state, it would be him.”
King, who is both a diver and distant swimmer, will use his versatility to dominate.
Haase is still unsure about the newcomers, but it’s too early to tell where they will all fit in. He realizes they’ll find a place eventually.
Highland
His team, although young, is extremely hardworking and dedicated, according to head coach Dave Renz. “These boys have a lot of background,” he said. “Most of them swam club when they were younger and are a very good group of kids.”
Highland’s biggest returnee, sophomore Kyle Johnson, is expected to be an even bigger smash than his debut season. Johnson, who placed at State in his 200-meter freestyle, has worked even harder in the off-season for a repeat performance.
“He is a kid that works hard year-round,” Renz said. “He is in the water 10 months out of the year. When he isn’t swimming, he is just doing something else to make him better.”
Other returnees include senior Lew Brown, who will be the team’s dominant backstroker. Junior Blake Morgan will command the 500 freestyle and sophomore Jake Fugee will be a strong distant swimmer. Newcomer Jason Cramer is another freestyler, but will specialize in primarily sprints.
