Bolts' new program feels growing pains
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By TOMMY DAHLK / Lincoln Journal Star
The Spartans aren’t the only team swimming at Lincoln East this year.
For the first time ever, Lincoln Pius X will have a swim team. Since Pius doesn’t have a pool, the Thunderbolts are practicing at Nebraska Wesleyan and Lincoln East.
Starting a program from scratch is a daunting task itself. Not having a pool and making sure 55 kids have transportation makes head coach Cindy Nash’s job even tougher.
Coach: Greg Fleming
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Boys: Seniors- Ty Carney, Zach Cole, Jared Froehlich, Jon Geier, Logan Hinds, Kaleb Mar, Peter Slawinski; Juniors-Ryan Bubb, Jackson Carter, Nick Caruso, Mitchell Ediger, Alex Paine, Erik Peterson, Dylan Woldt; Sophomores-Ethan Ebito, Ryan Hansen, Sam Steinberger, Austin Wheeler. Girls: Seniors-Mattea Fosbender, Devin Schultz, Elizabeth Shipman, Rosalie Mueller, Amy Morton; Juniors-Shawn Zajicek, Mary Beth Rye, Jessica Francis, Cassie Nelson, Mercedes Barry, Sarah Barnes; Sophomore-Brandy Pappas, Taylor Ficek, Dani Paborek-Potter, Emily Daugherty, Hanna Jameson, Amsley Senkbiel, Sophia Iaquinta, Mercedes Barry.
OUTLOOK: Boys lost a few key seniors from last year's state runner-up finish, but look to reload. The girls return nine siwmmers that qualified for the state last year.
Lincoln High
COACH: Richard Conradt
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Boys: Seniors-Jacob Anderson, Michael Glese, Nicolas Kielty, Tyler Lenz, Paul Pape, Mitch Rohrs, Daniel Stalder; Juniors-Alexander Kelly, Zion Schell; Sophomores-Bennett Milliken, Charles Neibel. Girls: Seniors-Tressa Amerson, Kelsey Cartagena, Amanda Costello, Chelsea Hayes, Ellie Johnson, Laura Orth, Stephanie Ruppelt, Bailey Ryan, Faith Schell, Lindsey Trejo, Stella Yoon; Juniors-Rachel Beranek, Noelle Pinneo, Ellen Tesch; Sophomores-Marya Casse-Ruchala, Haley Keller.
OUTLOOK: Young team that works hard and wants to improve.
North Star
COACH: Rebecca Jasa
RETURNING STATEQUALIFIERS:
Boys- Seniors-Jeremy Zelt; Juniors-Ty Cope.
Girls-Seniors-Amber Jordan, Angela Everley, Karissa Kruse, Ali Abbott; Sophomores-Kaitlin Kruse.
OUTLOOK: The girls team returns five state qualifiers from last year. The boys lost some swimmers to graduation, but return Jeremy Zelt, who finished 11th in the 100 backstroke last season at state.
Northeast
COACH: Kyle Hunt
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Boys-Seniors-Paul Creger; Juniors-Thomas Guitter, Sophomores-Jordan Gosechel, Taylor Applebee.
Girls-Seniors-Brianna Nelson, Anna Haxby; Juniors-Jenna Bonmaster, Erin Hitz, Aubry Yost, Jessica Benson; Sophomores-Kara Hellbusch, Ashley Carlson, Melissa McIntosh, Emily Sanford.
OUTLOOK: The Rockets will have the biggest swim team since 2000, and the boys will have increased numbers as well.
Southeast
COACH: Dave Peters
RETURNING STATE QUALIFIERS: Boys-Aaron Henry, Jack Morrow, Jordan Hunt, Ross Goldenstein.
GIrls-Stefania Lewicki, Jessie Johnson.
OUTLOOK: The Knights are expecting several new state qualifiers this year.
Southwest
COACH: Tanner Penrod
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors-Scott Hakel, Sam Heidelk, Alex Johnson, Sam Meister, Justin Nissen; Juniors-Justin Jones, Tyler Mills, Tim Gladyshev; Sophomores-Matt Delisi.
Girls-Seniors-Amy Herman, Sam Holechek, Olivia Leblanc, Michaela Patt, Megan Kaltenberger, Heather Guenther; Juniors-Miki Freese, Ellen Calkins, Stacy Luedtke, Lauren Meeske.
OUTLOOK: The girls return many key swimmers from last year’s seventh-place state finish, while the boys look to improve on last year's eighth-place showing.
However, transportation hasn’t been an issue because everyone affiliated with the swim team is making sure Pius’ first year goes as smoothly as possible.
“There is so much excitement right now,” Nash said. “The kids have so much energy and are excited to compete for their high school. The parents are really excited about it as well and have been great.“
Nash has taught at Pius for three years and used to be a high school swimming coach in Michigan. Before swimming at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich., Nash swam for Lincoln Southeast.
The plan for Pius to have a swimming team started a couple of years ago. Many parents of students who were in middle school and wanted to pursue swimming brought the idea up. Nash also expressed interest in launching a team.
After seeing if enough students would be interested and what costs would be involved, Pius gave Nash the green light.
Although Pius is a first year program, Nash said a few kids have extensive experience in club swimming. A majority of others have competed on summer recreational swim teams. Only a few have never competed on any sort of swim team.
Nash expects Pius, who isn’t affiliated with any swimming conference, to show improvement throughout the year and loves the fact she will be the school’s first ever coach.
“All the traditions will be new,” Nash said. “So I can do whatever I want. So I don’t have to worry about changing things that have been going on for years.“
Reach Tommy Dahlk at 473-7431 or tdahlk@journalstar.com
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