No rebuild needed; Swimmers to make splash again at districts

Scott Swanson

Of The New Era

It looks to be a bit of a rebuilding year for the Husky swimmers, but Head Coach Doug Pearg1in expects his team to make a splash again in the district.

Peargin knows the territory, after 32 years of coaching swimmers, and he said this team is off to a good start – size-wise, at least. He will be assisted this year by Bruce West, Megan Blank and Tia Jeppsen.

“We’ve got 31 swimmers out, girls and boys combined,” he said. “Usually we have about 25 at this time of the year. That’s a pretty good number to stick it out so far.”

The boys in particular will be looking for contributions from newcomers, having lost three seniors who graduated after placing in the state meet. But the cupboard isn’t bare.

Back this year are seniors Larry Coulter and Anthony Ertsgaard, and sophomore Brendan Sanders, all of whom placed at state last year.

“They’re the ones we’re going to have to build around in the guys this year,” Peargin said.

Coulter specializes in the backstroke and Ertsgaard in freestyle, while Sanders can swim any event, the coach said.

“He can do it all,” Peargin said.

Other members of the boys team are Shawn Adams, Mike Bruner, James Davis, Jonathan Lemar, Cole Stumbaugh, Peter VanDerlip and David Worthen.

On the girls side, five state placers return: senior Dani Birky in freestyle sprints, junior Nicole Martin in freestyle distance, junior Jessica Trautwein in the freestyle sprints, sophomore Sarah Rosa in the backstroke and sophomore Justine Calhoon in the breastroke.

“We’ll have to build around them,” Peargin said.

Other members of the girls team are Michelle Buhn, Shaley Coker, Alice Davis, Tashina Davis, Ashlee Flanigan, Krystle Grim, Staci Grove, Faith Helfrich, Darcy Jackson, Katie Jones, Katie Kinney, Norajeon Lemar, Jessica Mengore, Cherie Pressley, Korina Thompson and McKenzie Walker.

He said the Huskies are aiming to continue their run of consecutive trophies at the district meet and to finish the season with personal bests.

“Our goal is a lifetime best in the last meet they’re in at the end of the year” he said. “If they pull a lifetime best, they’ve had a successful season.”

The Huskies will kick off their season when they host the Sweet Home Relays at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2.

The district has 11 teams and this year’s finals are at the South Albany pool, which Peargin considers a plus for the Huskies.

“It’s a good, fast pool,” he said. “It could be to our advantage.”

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