Talent
to spare
Depth should lead Chiefs to
great heights
Of all the
things Ed Weber likes about the 2009 Canton girls swimming and diving
team, it only took a one-word answer to sum it all up.
"Depth," said Weber, when asked about the team's most cherished
commodity. "Our depth this year is by far our biggest strength. We have
seniors who have experience at the state meet and we have loads of
juniors who have done well at big meets, too.
"We also have some sophomores and freshmen who are looking to
get that opportunity to show what they have this season."
Senior Maggie Carlson returns to lead the Chiefs following a
success-filled 2008 season when she led the team in points earned and
qualified for her third consecutive Division 1 state meet.
Including Carlson, Weber's squad is stocked with 12 seniors:
Katie Evans, Mallory Hudak, Kirstyn Kelley, Laura Kushner, Miranda
Madias, Ashley Meadows, Juliana Mi, Christine O'Keefe, Anjali Patel,
Abigail Phillips and Kelsey Zimmerman.
"Maggie, who is a team captain, earned the 'Most Valuable
Swimmer' award last year, and we look forward to another promising
season from her," said Weber.
"Chrissy O'Keefe, who is also a captain, has been a state
qualifier for relay events in the past. She is a talented freestyler.
"Mallory Hudak is our senior diver. She has made it to regionals
the past two seasons, and plans on extending her season this year.
"Ashley Meadows and Abigail Phillips are our other two captains
this year."
Notable juniors include Kelly Bedro (100-yard breaststroke),
Kaitlyn Dugas (100 butterfly, 100 back), Kayla Eyster (state qualifier
in 100 freestyle in 2008), Catherine Irwin (state qualifier in 200 IM
last year), Sara Krebs (200 IM, 100 breaststroke), Robyn Piwowar
(regional qualifier in diving), Kari Schmitt (state qualifier in 100
freestyle) and Sara Schmitt (200 freestyler).
Notable sophomores include Kaitlin Munoz (freestyler) and
Caroline Wall (freestyler).
Among the freshmen who could make an impact are Delaney Adams
(butterfly), Abby Madison (IM), Annelise Niermann (breaststroke),
Caitlyn Orr (freestyler) and Emily Pettit (backstroker).
Ed Wright can be reached at
[email protected] or (734) 453-1980.
