Members of the Marysville High School swimming program are from left, front row, Molly Gregory, Allie Anderson, Abby Hemker, Riley Sherick, Jacob Markert, Rowan Kinney, Maddie Irving, Emma Menge and Joey Hazelbaker; second row, assistant coach Michael Waun, Blake Counts, Grant Turk, Nathan Moledor, Brenna Rogers, Magnus Winter, Cannon Moser, Carly Amrine, Philip Baker and head coach Beth Seman; third row, Dakota Moceri, Mallory Seman, Grace Pancallo, Reese Cordonnier, Katheryn Mager, Sydney Shaw, Corey Acker, Olivia Elliott and Gabe Filbert; top row, Christian Ubandez, Nolan Cantrell, Mouctar Bah, Alijah Wright, Allie Bernhard, Camryn McGlenn, Ava Jackson, Addy Ary and Lyla Tabor. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
The Marysville High School swimming program hopes things return to more of a normal pace this winter.
The coronavirus pandemic season of 2020-21 resulted in split practices and virtual meets.
Captains for the program are seniors Jacob Markert and Abby Hemker and juniors Cannon Moser and Molly Gregory.
The program has grown to 36 athletes between the two squads.
“Swimming is not considered a ‘main stream’ sport in Marysville, but we are hoping to change that and really expand the team,” said coach Beth Seman. “Having 36 athletes really helps that goal.
“Every practice is a new adventure and I’m excited to see where it take us this season.”
New additions include exchange students Jayanti Geerets from the Netherlands and Magnus Winter from Germany.
Christian Ubandez is originally from Venezuela.
“We also are super happy to have freshman Dakota Moceri, a student with special needs, join the team,” said Seman.
The Lady Monarchs are still in rebuild mode. However, with a huge class of freshmen, the next four years look bright.
Gregory will lead the girls squad.
She was the lone girl to advance to the Division I district meet a year ago.
“Due to covid, qualifying for Districts was made exponentially harder and it really affected our team,” said Seman.
Joining Gregory are sophomores Reese Cordonnier and Liv Elliott.
“Both girls work hard on their club teams and will be a huge part of relays,” said Seman. “Returning letterman seniors Emma Menge and Riley Sherick, junior Carly Amrine and sophomores Katheryn Mager and Mallory Seman are all looking to step up and take part in the relays as well.”
Allie Anderson is a senior on the team. She swam when she was younger and decided to join the team this year for the first time.
Returning lettermen and their events for the Lady Monarchs are as follows:
-Emma Menge: 200 freestyle, 200 IM, relays;
– Sherick: 100 butterfly, 100 backstroke, relays;
-Gregory: 100 backstroke, 100 breastroke, 100 butterfly, relays;
-Amrine: 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, relays;
-Cordonnier: 500 freestyle, 200 freestyle, relays;
-Elliott: 100 breastroke, 200 IM, 500 freestyle, relays;
-Mager: 100 butterfly, relays;
-Seman: 100 breastroke, relays.
Markert leads the boys squad and has been working overtime in the off-season.
“Jacob and his teammates have something to prove after not making the districts last year,” said Seman. “Joining him are returning letterman, juniors Joey Hazelbaker and Cannon Moser and sophomore Gabe Filbert,” she said. “All have their eyes on the record board and are hoping to make Monarch history.”
Juniors Blake Counts and Nathan Moledor are going to be huge parts of the 400 freestyle relay and have been pushing themselves, and their lane mates, every practice.
Senior Rowan Kinney, in only his second season of swimming, has shown huge improvement.
He is looking forward to a great season, as is junior Philip Baker.
“Newcomer sophomore Ubandez looks great in the water and we are excited to see what he can accomplish,” said Seman.
Returning lettermen and their events are as follows:
– Markert: 100 breastroke, 200 freestyle, relays;
-Hazelbaker: 100 backtroke, 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, relays;
-Counts: 100 butterfly, 200 IM, relays;
– Moledor: 100 breastroke, 100 backtroke, relays;
-Moser: 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, relays.