Stephanie Miller and the members of the Carl Junction High School girls swim team couldn’t wait for winter practices to arrive.
With a solid core returning from last year’s squad that finished sixth in the state, it’s not hard to see why the Bulldogs are so thrilled about the 2022-23 campaign.
“We are always excited for our season to start,” Miller said. “Everyone had their alarm clocks ready for 4:50 a.m. on the first day of practice. The girls had been meeting in small groups and going on runs or going to the gym together. I would describe my team as strong, athletic, and determined. Carl Junction could have some big achievements this year. Stay tuned… it just depends if the girls all believe. I believe.”
The Bulldogs had a season to remember last winter, going 17-4 in duals, taking second at the COC Meet, third at the SWMO Championships and finishing the season with a sixth-place showing at the Class 1 state meet.
With multiple state medalists leading the way, Carl Junction features 12 returning swimmers and six newcomers.
Seniors Skyler Sundy and Madeleine Garoutte, junior Chloe Miller and sophomore Elyanna Dogotch are the team’s top returners. Also back with prior varsity experience are Abigail and Sophia Holcomb, Kennedy Johnson, Ava Fifer, Bella Laudermilk, Alex Offutt, Kiley Brenneis and Sydney Ward. Coach Miller noted her team features great depth.
“This year we have the perfect size with 18 swimmers,” Coach Miller said. “We have some swimmers that are among the best in the state and we have some coming out for their first swim season. It will be the best of both worlds watching the elite girls fight for tenths of seconds while watching the new swimmers record huge time drops every time they hit the pool.”
Chloe Miller and Sundy, who both finished second in their respective events at last year’s Class 1 state meet, are expected to once again lead the way for the Bulldogs.
Chloe Miller was the state runner-up in the 50-yard freestyle and also finished sixth in the 100 freestyle. Sundy was the state runner-up in the 100 backstroke and she also took fifth in the 50 free.
With both Miller and Sundy contributing, Carl Junction finished fourth in the 200 medley relay to earn all-state honors.
Miller was the COC champion in both the 50 freestyle and the 100 free, while Sundy was the conference champion in the 100 backstroke and tied for second in the 50 free. The Bulldogs were the COC champs in two relays (200 free, 200 medley).
With a solid core back, along with some promising newcomers, Coach Miller noted the Bulldogs have the goals set high. And for the Bulldogs, the keys to success are simple.
“While I love to watch my team win and do well, at the end of the day it is always possible to come up a bit short,” she said. “The key to being successful is enjoying the process as much, if not more, than the outcome. This is how you guarantee a successful program year after year. I asked my team for their goals this season. One swimmer wrote, ‘I want to get snowed in again at COMO.’ She was referring to an extended hotel stay in Columbia the previous year. We’re getting ready to start what could be our best season and my swimmer just wants more time to have fun with her teammates. I’d say we are already successful.”
As always, how the team’s inexperienced swimmers progress throughout the season is another key to a successful season.
“This season we are focusing on team chemistry and taking advantage of every opportunity to have fun racing,” Coach Miller said. “Historically, when we focus on having fun and the basics we end up successful. When you have new athletes that are not seasoned swimmers they have to make a choice to buy in and trust the process. First, we’ll focus on learning the basics and the speed can come late in the season. I have a ton of athletic talent, but the challenge as a coach is converting the talent the girls have as a runner, tennis player or in the weight room to the pool.”
The Bulldogs are scheduled to begin the season on Nov. 29 at Webb City.
