POULSBO — Despite the setback of knowing they’ll be down 13 points at the start of many of the meets this season, the mood of NK boys’ swim team is upbeat.
“We don’t have any divers,” Vikes boys’ coach Greg Braun said. “So, if the other team does have divers, we’re already 13 points in the hole.”
On the bright side, Braun has a motivated squad unwilling to let this adversity get to them.
“It’s a terrific bunch of guys,” Braun said. “They’re close, they have a lot of self-discipline … when they get here at 2:30 after school, they get right on it. It’s that personal desire to improve that makes them desirable to coach.”
Senior co-captain William Almond is equally as excited.
“I think this is a good team, very enthusiastic,” Almond said. “They’re eager to learn.”
Almond said he’s been most impressed with two of his teammates, Piranha Club swimmers Mikal Reeves and Leo Keliher.
“Mikal’s been doing a whole bunch of laps all year,” Almond added. “The two of them have been doing a lot to prepare.”
Almond said on the whole, state is not out of the question for others, either.
“A lot of people are looking forward to the chance to send a relay (team) to state,” Almond said. “We want it pretty bad this year.”
“Can we get them to state this year?” Asked coach Braun. “Yeah, maybe. But the kid that wants to get to state has already won half the battle.”
This week of training was used to get new swimmers, or those who haven’t swum since last season, acclimated to the water.
“We try to get their comfort level up with the water,” said coach Marilyn Grindrod.
Braun said he believes the sacrifice of diving points in the team competition may be hindering, but the focus will be on personal goals.
“The good thing is we’ll focus on personal improvement,” Braun said. “The goal will be to get as many guys as possible to district.”
One of those swimmers will likely be Piranhas swimmer Keliher, who worked hard in the off-season with his club team.
“I’m feeling positive,” Keliher said. “I swam hard during the summer. Last season, I barely made districts. I’ve come a long way since then but I still have a long way to go.”
2003-04 NKHS Swim team roster
William Almond Senior
Brian Arcement Senior
Brandon Borchers Senior
Jesse Feutz Senior
Gary Thaxton Junior
Mikal Reeves Junior
Josh Jones Sophomore
Nicholas Barrantes Sophomore
Leo Keliher Sophomore
Marcus King Sophomore
Josh Parmelee Sophomore
Jacob Rose Sophomore
Brian Parrott Sophomore
Mikey Sabal Sophomore
Nathan Tamm Sophomore
Greg Hinchcliffe Sophomore
Daniel Thaxton Sophomore
Krister Seaburg Freshman
Spencer Nagley Freshman
