Day: August 14, 2022

With 10 athletes back with significant varsity experience, including five who concluded last season at the state championships, the Webb City boys swimming and diving team has its goals set extremely high for the 2022 season.

“These boys have some big goals and I think they’re ready to work for them,” Webb City coach Shawn Klosterman said. “There is already chatter about goals for COC and the MSHSAA Championships. I know several of the boys were in the weight room a lot this summer and I think they will be pretty focused.”

Webb City’s returning athletes are junior Micah Brouwer (IM, breaststroke), sophomore Adrien Black (distance freestyle), senior Cody Herndon (sprint freestyle), senior Jonathan Kenlee (butterfly, backstroke), junior Steve Kenlee (fly, freestyle), senior Lucas Lowery (distance free), junior Aiden Patterson (distance free), senior Logan Ragsdale (sprint free), senior Judah Ritchie (IM, backstroke) and senior Emiliano Vasquez (fly, sprint free).

Brouwer finished 23rd in both the 100 breaststroke and 200 individual medley at last year’s state meet. 

Brouwer won two events at last year’s Central Ozark Conference championships, the 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke. 

Vasquez was second in the 50 freestyle at last year’s conference event. 

Ritchie, Herndon, Steve Kenlee, Brouwer and Vasquez all competed at last year’s state meet on the team’s relays.

“I think our biggest strength is that we’re returning a lot of state level experience and their excitement and attitudes will bring the rest of the team along because they want to join our leaders at the big meet,” Klosterman said. 

Top newcomers for the Cardinals are diver Maddox Wood, freestyler Brian Day and breaststroker Dalton Spence. 

The Cardinals lost three individual state qualifiers to graduation in Carson Forcum, Zion Wood and Ethan Shipley.

With an experienced group back, and with the promising newcomers joining the squad, Klosterman is confident his Cardinals can have a stellar season.

“I think this group has a bunch of hungry seniors and a lot of experience,” Klosterman said. “I can only imagine that when we get to the end of the season they’ll be able to bring out their best when it matters.

“I think a part of the challenge will be to make sure we’re utilizing our people properly to win not only dual meets, but also the COC,” Klosterman added. “Our new fish will eventually find where they belong in our lineup, but it takes a while to determine their natural strengths and weaknesses.” 

For the two-time defending COC champion Cardinals, the keys to a successful season aren’t complicated.

“As always, the keys to success are to get stronger, refine skills and be the kind of teammates who make everyone around you better,” Klosterman said. “When we focus on those things the rest usually works out the way we want it to.”

Webb City is scheduled to open the season at the West Plains Invitational on Aug. 27.