The loss of Mitch LeMay, a state qualifier last season and holder of multiple school records, obviously leaves a big hole in the Park swim and dive team this season.
The Wolfpack will obviously …
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The loss of Mitch LeMay, a state qualifier last season and holder of multiple school records, obviously leaves a big hole in the Park swim and dive team this season.
The Wolfpack will obviously miss LeMay, the section swimmer of the year last season who finished ninth at state last season in the 100 butterfly and 16th in the 50-yard freestyle. LeMay holds the Park school records in the 100 butterfly (50.79) as well as both the 50 (21.74) and 100 (46.94) freestyles.
Longtime Wolfpack head coach Amanda Johnson believes, however, that Park will have another successful season based on the swimmers and divers that are returning.
“Mitch will be a pretty big void to fill,” said Johnson. “But we do have some super young talent that is coming up.”
Park will also need to replace graduated swimmers ack Crook, Jackson Harre and David Laes. “It will be tough to fill those shoes,” Johnson said. “They were some strong swimmers.”
Senior Mason Darling leads the returners after finishing 10th in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 59.72 in the Class AA state meet a year ago. Darling will again swim the breaststroke and the 200 IM.
“Mason should be just as strong this season,” Johnson said.
Others back for the Wolfpack this season include all-around senior swimmers Jack and Logan Schweigert, and Parker Jeseritz in the butterfly and backstroke. “He’s looking even better,” Johnson said of Jeseritz. I’m excited to see what he can do.”
Two of Park’s relay teams finished fourth in the section meet last season. The key to success there will be again replacing LeMay.
All three top divers return for the Wolfpack in Trey Jaso, Carter Darling and Ethyn Schilling, Park’s middle school record holder.
“We lost a couple of the big kids,” Johnson said. “But I feel like we can be very successful in our conference. Sections will be a good strong showing. Should do well there if their receipt does well. I don’t foresee Mason not going to state and adding one or two more.”
The Wolfpack open the season with the conference relays at Stillwater Middle School on Thursday, Dec. 7. Park then hosts its first home meet the following week, hosting Mounds View Thursday, Dec. 14, at the Cottage Grove Middle School pool, starting at 6 p.m.
