The Seaholm girls swim team has found themselves in a position they haven’t found themselves in since 1997.
They are currently ranked 2nd in the state, behind only Holland and immediately ahead of Groves. And they’re doing it with a potent mix of young talent and experience.“This year’s freshmen class does a good job filling the holes left by last year’s senior class even though we did lose quite a bit,” said Head Coach Karl Hodgson, whose team graduated 15 swimmers in 2011. “I would say it was an instant replacement. It’s the most balanced team we’ve had since the late 90s.”
The girls swim team graduated 15 seniors last season.
The fierce freshmen foursome includes state qualifiers Emily Abbott (500 Freestyle), Celia Hoag (100 Breaststroke), Mykala Arnold (200 IM, 100 Butterfly, 100 Backstroke, 50 Free), and Sydney McKay (100 Freestyle, 100 Butterfly, 200 Freestyle, 500 Freestyle). While their transition from club swimming to high school has been easy for the freshmen, there are some differences.
“Its different because the people are really a team and you only practice with groups of people that swim your stroke as opposed to just practicing every stroke,” said McKay. “But we’ve been working really hard already and our team is very close, we’re off to a great start.”
Currently the girls have a 4-0 record. Not only are they undefeated, they have rolled over opponents, finishing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in nearly every event at Troy two weeks ago. The team’s versatility has been the main factor in these blowouts, as they have a strong mix of mix of talent and depth.
“We have a lot of superstar swimmers like Chelsea Abbott, Natalie Pierce, and Sydney McKay, but we are deep as a team,” said senior captain Ellen Koseck. ”We have a huge state team filled with top five swimmers and people who will sneak up and score lots of points which makes us deadly.”
Former Division 2 juggernaut Farmington Hills Mercy moved up to Division 1 this year allowing Holland, Seaholm, and Groves to move up a place in the state as they now sit first, second, and third respectively.
The girls first match up with No. 3 Groves is on October 18th at Groves. It will be their senior recognition night. They will not see Holland until the D2 State Meet on November 18th and 19th. The meet will be hosted at Holland Aquatics Center, and Holland could become the first team in state history to win a state championship meet at their own pool.
Senior Captain Charlotte Yaw (State Qualifier in the 100 and 200 yard Freestyle), is optimistic that Holland will not record this feat.
“We’ve had a relatively large state team the past four years, and we’re a very deep team,” said Yaw.
In fact, in the first duel meet alone, 15 different swimmers combined for 20 total state qualifying times. Currently the state team includes 30 state qualifying times and 17 swimmers.
Although the team is well rounded, they excel in the distance freestyle events, especially the 200 freestyle. They currently have five state qualifiers in the event including freshmen Morgan McKay, sophomore Ella Waechter, junior Morgan McKay, and senior captains Yaw and Abbott.
“All of them swim the 200 in under two minutes, which is pretty impressive in girls swimming,” said Hodgson.
Over the last couple of years, the girls swim team has been beaten by themselves more than anyone else. Untimely injuries to star swimmers Sam Arnold and Natalie Pierce, who missed the last nine weeks last season, aided in dismantling the team’s chances last year. The Maples stars have used the offseason to get healthy.
“For the first time in awhile we’re completely healthy as a team,” said Koseck, “Those who were injured are stepping up along with upperclassmen who haven’t qualified for states in the past. It should be an exciting season.”
