Spring break for Emporia High’s girls swim team was supposed to end today, what with the Spartans having their first meet of the year coming up next week.
At least, it was supposed to. But swimming coach Bob Yevak will be missing about 10 of his 30 swimmers when the Spartans resume practice today. In Yevak’s words, “Spring break kills us” — and with the youth of the Spartan swim-and-dive team this year, that’s even more true than usual.
“What do you tell a girl when she says, ‘Hey, this is the first vacation our parents have ever taken us on?’” he said. “You can’t say, ‘Well don’t go.’ So we’re gonna be missing some of our varsity kids. But they’ve been working really hard.”
The Spartans, who finished second at the Centennial League meet last season, lose three All-Centennial first-teamers off last year’s squad in graduated seniors Caitlin McGuire, Hilary Larson and Whitney Starr. Despite that, Yevak believes a top-three finish at League is still a reachable goal. He has talent, but there are holes to fill in the Spartans’ lineup, particularly in the 200-yard individual medley and the 100 butterfly.
“That’s a great opportunity for some kids that wanna work real hard the next 10 weeks and get to where they can swim those events, if they could swim in the League meet,” Yevak said. “Because that’s the two areas (where we don’t have enough swimmers) — we’re pretty strong everywhere else.”
Swimming-wise, the team’s primary strength will come from sophomore Becca Tidwell and junior Kathryn Scherich. Scherich finished on the All-Centennial second team last year, and the coach believes they’ll both qualify for State this year.
“Becca Tidwell is a great example of — I don’t know how to classify her,” Yevak said. “She came out last year as a freshman — other than swimming in a pool, she had no experience. I think she missed five training days all year with the club, and now she’s my best swimmer. ... She is definitely the best swimmer I have, and Kathryn’s right next to her.”
Other key swimmers will include senior Michelle Thompson, who Yevak said will swim in all relays and has a chance to qualify for State in the 50 freestyle; two other seniors in Megan Wacker and Jade Gaskill; juniors Summer Wilson, Taylor Mason and Erika Krueger; and sophomores Jalen Hollenbeck and Jessica Hilbish. The divers, led by coach Barb Clark, are expected to once again log their share of points, with senior Carissa Schmitz back as a returning State qualifier.
The interruption of spring break hasn’t been the only obstacle the Spartans have had to deal with in the preseason — illness has been prevalent, too, and has made for some low practice attendance numbers. During one practice, EHS had 15 girls absent — 12 swimmers and three divers.
“I told ’em, ‘If you’re gonna get sick, get it right now. Get it over with,’” Yevak said. “And I think they all did.”
Yevak anticipates that performances at the season’s early meets may not be impressive, but he anticipates getting things sorted out over the next six weeks.
“It’s a great bunch of girls, and they’re hard workers — hey, we’ll be fine,” he said. “We may not look great at the beginning of the season, but when it counts, we’re gonna be ready.
EHS girls swimming and diving schedule
March 26 — EMPORIA INVITATIONAL, 4 p.m. (diving March 25, 4 p.m.)
April 2 — at Topeka High, 4 p.m.
April 9 — EMPORIA INVITATIONAL, 4 p.m. (diving April 7, 4 p.m.)
April 14 — at Blue Valley Northwest, 4 p.m.
April 20 — at Manhattan, 3:30 p.m.
April 30 — EMPORIA INVITATIONAL, 4 p.m. (diving April 29, 4 p.m.)
May 6 — at Manhattan, 3:30 p.m. (diving May 1, 3:30 p.m.)
May 14-15 — LEAGUE MEET, 4 p.m.
May 22-23 — State at Topeka, TBD