PI swimmers excited for year
PRESQUE ISLE — The Wildcat varsity boys and girls swim teams may be small in numbers, but are big in effort and excitement as the 2013-14 season gets under way. The varsity boys’ team returns six swimmers from last year’s squad and has added two new members, and the girls’ squad returns six swimmers as well. Emma Michalowski was the lone graduate off last year’s team, although a few swimmers did choose to not return.
Contributed photo/Dave Allen Graphics
WILDCAT SWIMMERS — Members of the Presque Isle varsity swim team are, in front from left, volunteer assistant coach Erica Hemphill, Heather Nadeau, Kyle Kilcollins, Jacqueline Lambert, Naomi McEachern, Olivia Goulet, Sara Gilson and managers Izabelle Burtt and Emma Curtis. Back row, Brenden Goulet, Alex Hemphill, Leigh Buck, Josh Jones, Dustin Drabek, Matt Burtt, Nate DeWitt, Laura Watson and coach Joyce Price.
The boys’ squad had a number of participants in the state meet last year and were led by senior Nate Dewitt, who was eighth in the 100 butterfly and 11th in the 50 freestyle. Other participants included Joshua Jones in the 50 free, Alex Hemphill in the 100 breaststroke and 200 individual medley and Dustin Drabek in the 500 free and 100 back. Matt Burtt swam breastroke and relays at the States as well. All these young men will continue to work on those strokes this year, as well as refining their techniques in the other events.
Brendan Goulet, a returning junior, swam freestyle and backstroke last year and has made improvements in the early going. Freshman Leigh Buck is new to the team and will focus on freestyle events, while newcomer Kyle Kilcollins has chosen to concentrate on breaststroke and freestyle.
Nineteenth-year coach Joyce Price sees this as a versatile group and she will move them around to pick up points and wins in dual meets.
“I think we are going to have one of the fastest boys teams in the history of the Presque Isle swim team,” Price stated. “Our goal is to to have more swimmers qualify for States and improve their times and strokes. I think we can improve and score more points at the PVC championship and States. Regardless of our win-loss record, we just want to improve at each meet.”
On the girls’ side, a host of senior swimmers are bringing experience back to the pool. The returning 12th-graders include Sara Gilson, Jackie Lambert, Naomi McEachern, Heather Nadeau and Laura Watson. Junior Olivia Goulet is the only returning underclassman.
Gilson and Nadeau will primarily swim freestyle events, while Lambert will focus on the individual medley, freestyle and breaststroke. McEachern will swim breaststroke and freestyle events, while Watson and Goulet will swim both backstroke and freestyle events.
Price realizes that the small numbers will be a disadvantage here as well, but she looks forward to the season.
“I’m looking to have everyone improve their times and feel good about their times,” she explained. “I would like to see some of the girls qualify as individuals for the States as well.”
Price sees several keys to a good season for both the girls and the boys.
“I’m hoping that they will continue to improve their starts and turns, while building endurance. Each team member controls their own destiny. The harder they practice and put more effort into improving their technique and style, the more likely they will be able to reach their goals.”
Alexa Woodman of Washburn and Alexis Coiley of Fort Fairfield are swimming attached with the Presque Isle squad.
