By John Molene

Park High girls swimming and diving lost its top diver and swimmer to graduation but returns a number of experienced swimmers and divers for this fall’s run.

Missing from the Wolfpack this season will be two seniors who qualified for state last season, Ellen Jensen in the 00 freestyle and diving standout Caitlyn Greenwalt. “We have a good solid team that hasn’t changed or lost many girls,” said head coach Amanda Johnson, who enters her 18th season of coaching. “We have added five new seventh graders, two of which swim on a club team in the off season which will help. All the girls worked hard over the season to help step up the level we have competing. For strengths it will be interesting to see who will step it up as we have a very well-rounded group. So ideally, we will be able to move them around as needed for different meets.”

Key athletes returning for Park include sophomore diver Sarah Weston, junior all-around swimmer Amber Norgaard who last year focused on the 200 and 100 freestyles, sophomore sprinter Alayna Faletti, junior breaststroker Afton LeMay (11) and backstroker/ IM swimmer Arachi O’Brien.

Two things Johnson would like to see improve this season are turns and finishes.

“We are working on beating our opponents in and out of turns and finishes,” Johnson said. “We struggled with this last year so we are working towards making this a priority on our team.”

Park was 0-9-1 in the conference and 2-9-1 for the season last fall. The Wolfpack finished seventh at sections.

Asked what would make for a successful fall season, Johnson said: “To have everyone step up and compete at meets. We are a smaller team but are very versatile so as long as they are working hard and competing, we will be in good shape.”

Park opens the season Thursday, Aug. 25, in the conference relays. The Wolfpack host their first home meet against Irondale Thursday, Sept. 1, starting at 6 p.m.