Boys swimming sport update

The water is still. Time slows and silence spreads as the swimmers take their positions on the starting blocks. The swimmers each go through their routines as they concentrate and prepare for diving into the water. The starting buzzer goes off.

After racing two close relays, the Buccaneers are neck and neck with the Eagles and need a strong finish. The Bucs take off and win the 200 free relay, resulting in a victory.

“We swam very well and everyone on the team contributed to the win,” senior Hayden Schouman said. “We began training hard earlier in the season and are practicing harder than we have in past years; while everyone is resting for conference, we are continuing to train hard for state.”

After defeating Hudsonville in a conference meet last Thursday, the boys’ swim and dive team is now 5-4. The Bucs are racing through their conference meets and are looking forward to state. However, they still have several challenges.

Despite having many underclassmen, the swim team is starting to find their rhythm and many swimmers, such as Logan Snider, Sam Hankinson and Jordan Devries, have stepped up. Along with Schouman, senior Cole Kramer, junior Brennen Latchaw and sophomore Grant Ruster have been leading the team.

“More than half of the team is composed of freshmen and sophomores that are still establishing themselves,” Schouman said. “Also, our conference is very difficult and we are swimming against some of the best teams in the state.”

The Bucs’ have already qualified for states in the 200 individual relay,  the 200 free relay and the 400 free relay- nearly two months earlier than usual. The conference meet is coming up and it won’t be long until groups of kids with bleached hair can be seen walking around the hallways.

“We’ve been training extra hard and putting in at least 10,000 yards everyday,” Kramer said. “State is a month out and we are just taking it one week at a time.”