South Caldwell Swim Team preview: 2016-2017

HUDSON, NC (October 20, 2016)…The South Caldwell Spartan men’s and women’s swim teams look to get back into action soon at the William B. Stronach Aquatic and Fitness Center on November 21, 2016 when they will host East Burke, Maiden, and McDowell in a non-conference matchup.

Coach Brent Tomberlin, entering his 20th season at the helm of the Spartan program, says it is going to be a very interesting year for his teams, “It looks like we will have about forty swimmers trying out. We lost several swimmers from a very successful women’s team. However, we gained a few men’s swimmers; adding to an already very consistent men’s team.”

For the first time in several years, Tomberlin has no idea who will swim several legs of relays for the Lady Spartans. With the loss of Alayna Graves, Maddy Rideout, and Mikalaa Martin off of last year’s team, there will be important holes to fill in the a few races if the team will be able to continue to have success this year. For the last few seasons, the women’s team has placed third in the Northwestern Conference behind conference powerhouses such as St. Stephens and Hickory.

“We have a lot of good senior leadership which should help us,” Tomberlin said, “Marissa Taylor and Macie King will need to step up and help lead the team along with captains Holly Hendrix and Junior Casey Brown.” Junior Lauren Muehl will also be called on to swim competitively each meet. “Lauren and Marissa will be the main scorers returning every night. We are going to need them, “says Tomberlin. Newcomers Eryn Wright and Lexi Summerlin will join a solid group of juniors like Catherine Hughes, Lindsey Farr, and Claire Story. Each will be counted on to provide needed depth in specialty events. Senior Brooke Dula also adds depth in the freestyle and breaststroke events.

“I’m not real sure about this team so far, but what I know is these young ladies are wonderful to work with,” says Tomberlin. “They compete each night and support each other and display the kind of character and class which I expect out of individuals who swim on our teams. I am excited about coaching them. They are not the kind of competitors to give up easily and have worked hard in the offseason in order to be ready for the upcoming season.”

Simply put, the Spartan men’s team is loaded with quality swimmers; losing only three athletes off last year’s squad which barely missed another conference championship. Captains Alex Murphy and Andy Annas are solid performers who are coming off All-Conference performances last season. Senior Ethan Walker and Juniors Connor Johnson, Cory Heavner, Jeremy McBurney, Tony Lopez, and Daniel Striegel will also be looked to in order to provide needed depth. Freshmen Matt Hutchinson, a skilled specialty swimmer, will be counted on to score immediately. Cameron Perry and Riley Houck will be asked to race in key events.

“I think Alex and Andy could have fantastic years. They are hard workers with great attitudes and can really have an impact in helping the other young men perform at peak levels,” said Tomberlin.
Newcomers like Wade Mitchell and Ethan Greene could also have immediate impact and provide depth for a solid men’s team.

“I am really excited to get this year started,” says Tomberlin, “Our goal is to return both teams to a tough 4A State Meet in both individual and relay events. One of the most interesting tasks Tomberlin will have is replacing long-time assistant coach, Jessica Anthony, who left the school to take another position in the county. “Not having coach on deck this year will be very different from past years. She added so many things to our program, “says Tomberlin. However, Coach Tomberlin is close to naming a few individuals who will assist him this year. “It is a good time for our program. I’m thankful parents want to get involved and the swim teams at SCHS are thriving programs. We are fortunate and blessed to have the support of the school and the community. The student athletes keep me coming back each year and I hope we are hungry for a successful season,” Tomberlin said.

…By Roscoe Conkling Coltraine