Scott Swanson
Of The New Era
Sweet Home’s boys swim team has every reason to expect a good season in the pool with the return of two state champions who were freshmen last year and three others who medaled at the state meet.
The girls, on the other hand, are in a rebuilding mode after losing three state medalists to graduation.
But Coach Doug Peargin, entering his 33rd year of directing the swim program, said he’s expecting the Huskies to be competitive all around.
“The guys are pretty solid,” he said. “We lost a couple of seniors but the only placewinner at state (among the seniors) was Cole Stumbaugh. We’ve got five guys who medaled for us at state last year coming back.
Sophomore Kieran Schaefer is back after winning the 4A title in the 100 and 200 freestyle last season. Also back is Jayce Calhoon, who took first at state in the 500 freestyle.
Joining them are seniors Jon Lemar and Brinden Sanders, and sophomore Michael Simmonds.
Peargin said that, as of the end of last week, he had 14 boys out for team.
The others are seniors Shawn Adams and Za Ramsey; juniors Trevur Byer, Robert Callagan, Sebastian Mauer, David Worthen, Shelby Johnston and Caid Sanders; and sophomore Harry Northrup.
“I think we’ll be pretty solid, top to bottom, on the guys,” he said. “It’s the gals I’m kind of worried about – not because they aren’t trying, just that there’s not a lot of experience.”
“We graduated a pretty good crew last year,” he said of the girls. “We’re pretty inexperienced overall.”
The Huskies do welcome back Sara Rosa and Justine Calhoon, both seniors and both finalists in the district meet. Rosa placed sixth in the 100 backstroke at state last year, and she and Calhoon swam the first two legs on the girls 200 medley relay team that finished fifth in the state.
Joining them from last season are nine other swimmers, including some who made the district consolation finals and two freshmen who have club experience.
“We’re pretty young in the girls,” Peargin said. “This is as inexperienced a team, top to bottom, as we’ve had in the last 20 years for the girls. But it’s been fun so far. They’ve been working hard.”
Rounding out the girls team are seniors Tashina Davis and Tee Whaley; juniors Laura Gourley, Faith Helfrich, Katie Kinney, Norajean Lemar and Tiffany Traeger; and freshmen Nichole Simmonds and Sami Webb.
He said he expects some tough competititon from Marist and Junction City.
“Marist always throws together some good people and Junction City is close enough to Eugene so its kids can swim in the club programs,” Peargin said.
“I think it will be an exciting district meet,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it this year.”
The Huskies will open their season by hosting Sisters, Jefferson, Stayton, Marist and Central in a relay meet Friday, Nov. 30.
“I’m eager to see what the kids will do.” Peargin said. “The kids are working harder than a lot of people we meet. I hope we’ll swim well at that meet but boy, we are inexperienced, from top to bottom in the girls.”