WPMQ Provides Swim Season Update

Photo courtesy of Melissa Stewart

WPMQ’s Micah Kaelin and Trey Brison spoke with representatives from the Charlestown swim team and have updates to share on how the Pirates’ season is going.

2019-2020 Season

  • “So far this year we have done well, better than expected because of the two exchange students. It helps when you have some experienced swimmers come in,” said Coach Richard Sawyer. 
  • This season has been difficult for the Swim Team because they have to take a 20 minute bus ride to/from practice, due to their pool being shut down/broken. 
  • “As far as last to this year our girls team is better, but our boys team lost a lot of good boys,” says Coach Sawyer. 

Record:

The Girls Team has swam in 4 meets so far, with two 4th place finishes. One was 4th out of 9 teams; the other was 4th out of 6 teams. 

The Boys Team has swam in 3 meets so far, with a 3rd place finish out of 6 teams.

Boys 

  The Boys Team has only 4 swimmers but have been working really hard this season, giving 110% effort at practice. Also their team has been improving throughout the season!

The boys have had to work through a major setback at meets. Due to their small numbers, they don’t have enough boys to compete in every event. There are only enough boys for one relay team, compared to other school with two. “Despite their setback, they all continue to work hard, place well, improve their times, and keep good attitudes,” said swimmer Grace Adams. 

Girls

The Girls Team has been placing okay this season. Small numbers has been the only reason they haven’t won. “I’m really excited for conference. We’ve been working really hard and I have high hopes,” says swimmer Grace Adams. 

The Girls Team have gotten several new freshmen that have helped increase their numbers including Anika White, who has been a strong edition. Individually our points leaders, Grace Adams (11th grade), Tina Ylipaa (11th grade), and Kendra Grayson (10th) bring the most points for the team. These girls have placed high in their events all season. 

Swimmers:

There are no seniors. There are 4 juniors: 2 girls, 2 guys. Every other swimmer is underclassmen. 

Question: What swimmer has stood out to you the most? 

Coach Sawyer said, “As you know swimming is a team sport and all the kids stand out and do their part to help win a meet. So I can’t say that anyone stands out more than any other. They have all done what is best for the team to get the win. All of them are working hard to improve.

What’s Next?

  • Girls’ MSC Championship is on 1/30/20. 
  • Boys’ MSC Championship on 1/30/20.
  • Girls’ Sectionals will be on Thursday 2-6- 20 and Saturday 2-8-20.
  • Boys’ Sectionals will be on Thursday 2-20-20 and Saturday 2-22-20. 

The swimmers have been practicing and are ready to take on their opponents. Coach Sawyer says, “As far as sectionals we have been doing a lot of sprints and swimming about 2 miles a day”.