With four returning state qualifiers on the roster, the Carthage High School boys swimming and diving team has the expectations set high this fall.
Seniors Eli Cox and Will Wallace, junior Kellen Frieling and sophomore Braxton McBride all return to the pool after competing at last year’s Class 1 Swimming and Diving Championships.
“We have a tight team and with a large part of the team returning, we have high expectations,” Carthage coach Braden McBride said.
Cox swims the butterfly and the backstroke, Wallace swims the distance events, Frieling swims the backstroke and McBride will be a freestyler this year.
At last year’s state meet, Frieling finished 17th in the 100-yard backstroke.
Frieling, McBride and Cox were on two relays that competed at state—the 200-yard medley relay team that finished 21st and the 400 freestyle relay that finished 24th.
Wallace, Cox and McBride swam on the 200 freestyle relay that placed 29th.
Carthage finished second at last year’s Central Ozark Conference Championships.
The Tigers were the COC champs in the 200 freestyle relay, took third in the 200 medley relay and were fifth in the 400 free relay.
Also at last year’s COC meet, Braxton McBride took third in the 50 freestyle and was fourth in the 100 breaststroke, while Frieling placed third in the 100 backstroke and Wallace finished fourth in the 200 IM and fifth in the 500 free.
Coach McBride noted the Tigers have 20 athletes on this year’s roster, which will provide much-needed team depth.
“Our numbers will be a strength,” McBride said. “We’ll be able to score points in most of the events. And many of our young men have a swimming background.”
McBride added incoming freshman Will Wright is expected to contribute in the individual medley and the 500 freestyle this season.
Asked about the team’s keys to success, McBride responded: “Unity, attitude and high expectations.”
The Tigers will begin the season at the West Plains outdoor meet on Aug. 27. The team will host the Carthage Relays on Aug. 30.
With the arrival of the ’22 season, McBride is confident the Tigers have the pieces in place to have a stellar campaign.
“Entering my 18th season, I have high expectations for the boys, in and out of the pool,” he said.
