Tateishi also coaching MSSM squad
CARIBOU — Viking swim coach Erin Tateishi has a young squad to coach this season, but is excited about the approach her team members have. Now in her ninth season as the head coach, and 13th overall, Tateishi is impressed with the way her swimmers are looking at the season.
“It is a great group who not only care about the success of the team and its members, but also about the sport itself,” she said.
Contributed photo/MaineLine Studio
Members of the Caribou varsity swim team are, in front from left, Kristyn Maley, Madison Yakel, Courtney Cote, Olivia Engstrom and Alexis McLean. Back row, coach Erin Tateishi Ouellette, Austin Scott, Andromeda Grondin and Laura Doucette. Absent when photo was taken were Megan Duplessie and Conner Spencer.
Tateishi coaches recreational swimming in the summer, and most of her Caribou swimmers started out with her there. They don’t, however, have a lot of high school swimming experience, as none has more than a year of varsity competition under their belts. 
The Caribou squad has no seniors participating, so they will look to the juniors on the team for leadership and guidance. Courtney Cote is in her second year and is a team captain. She will swim backstroke and freestyle as well as relays, and has been a team leader with her hard work. Andromeda Grondin is picking up distance events this year and has shown great improvement in her second year, while Madison Yakel is in her first year and will swim the 100 back and the 50 and 100 freestyles.
The sophomores on the squad are Olivia Engstrom, an all-around swimmer who will compete in the 100 breaststroke and all of the freestyle events. She has worked hard in the off season, and is the other team captain. Laura Doucette and Alexis McLean are both second-year swimmers and will compete in the 50 and 100 freestyle events.
The freshman class is led by Kristyn Maley. Although in her first year of high school swimming, Maley will compete in the 100 back, the 100 breast, the 200 IM and the 50 and 100 freestyle.
Tateishi sees Maley as “capable of qualifying for individual States during her high school career.”
Rounding out the freshman class is Conner Spencer, who as a first-year swimmer will compete in the backstroke and freestyle events.
The only boys’ swimmer is junior Austin Scott. Scott will swim the 100 fly, as well as the freestyle events, and has already qualified for individual States in the 50 free and 100 fly.
As part of her coaching responsibilities, Tateishi also oversees the Limestone-MSSM athletes, a group that includes seven swimmers.
The lone senior is Andrew Arter, who will compete in the 100 back, the 100 breaststroke and the 50 and 100 free. Tateishi believes that Arter is likely to qualify for individual States.
Zeb Keith-Hardy is the only junior on the squad, and will do the 200 individual medley, the 100 back, the 100 breaststroke and the freestyle events. He comes in with a lot of competitive experience and has been a big help with the younger swimmers, according to Tateishi.
Sophomore Lazsio Steinhoff will compete in the 100 backstroke and the 50 and 100 freestyles, while Gordon McCullough will swim the 100 breaststroke and the 50, 100 and 200 freestyles. He also has competitive experience.
Rounding out the sophomore class is Mara McDonough, the only female on the MSSM squad. She will swim the 100 fly, the 100 back and the 50 and 100 freestyles. She brings experience to the squad as well.
MSSM freshmen include Andrew Craft, who will swim the freestyle, the backstroke and fly, and Paddy Keith-Hardy, who competes in the 100 breast and freestyle events.
Tateishi is excited for the season.
“The kids are working hard and are making real strides all the time. I’m excited to see how the improve as the season progresses,” she said.
