Juliana Hughes is confident that good things are ahead for her Joplin High School girls swim team.
Hughes is optimistic about the 2022-23 season because the Eagles feature a solid group of seniors and several promising newcomers.
“The girls are excited for the upcoming season because we have eight seniors on the team who started swimming together four years ago during my first year as head coach,” Hughes said. “Others are excited to return after joining local swim clubs to stay conditioned and gain meet experience through the summer.”
The team’s seniors are Lily Rakes, Megan Walser, Mairi Beranek, Taegen Smith, Allysun Higdon, Brooklyn Hiller and Ami Riechman-Bennett. Another senior, Skyler Ridgway, is unable to compete due to recent injuries, Hughes said.
Walser finished eighth in both the 200-yard individual medley and the 500 freestyle at last year’s conference meet, while Beranek finished 10th in the 100 backstroke. Rakes was on three relays that fared well at the conference meet, as the 200 medley relay placed third and the 200 freestyle relay and the 400 free relay both finished sixth.
“Rakes, Walser and Beranek are leading the team with top times for our A-relays,” Hughes noted.
Riechman-Bennett is back with the program after previously competing as a freshman.
“We’re excited to have her back,” Hughes said. “And Hiller and Smith are versatile swimmers who can swim any individual event well and are alternates for relays. We are looking forward to watching Higdon progress in her 100 freestyle and fully develop her 100 backstroke. She is a hard worker and leads the teams with her charisma and creative ideas to build team spirit.”
Top newcomers include junior Kiki Thom and freshmen Brylea Smith, Lydia Barwick, Julia Reyes-Alvarado, Kylea Thullesen and Kennedy Kelley.
Coach Hughes expects Thom to make an immediate impact.
“Thom is leading the team with top splits and a secure spot for the A-relays,” Hughes said. “She is a seasoned swim club swimmer but is new to the JHS swim team.”
Several freshmen have the potential to contribute nicely, as well.
“Smith and Barwick are also seasoned swim club swimmers,” Hughes said. “Smith has secured her spot on one of the relays and Barwick is showing promise for alternate positions. Thom, Smith and Barwick are versatile and able to swim any individual event. We’re looking forward to seeing their progress this season and how they contribute to the team.”
Hughes added that Reyes-Alvarado, Kelley and Thullesen have been progressing nicely in practice. Junior Emma Marshall and sophomores Izzy Zamanzadeh, Gwen Zamanzadeh and Evelyn Watson are other athletes competing for varsity spots.
Coach Hughes noted the goals are set high this winter.
“I expect our relays to make state-consideration times due to the many talented swimmers we have,” Hughes said. “We have the most versatile swimmers this year with the ability to score points in any individual event.”
Hughes added the keys to success for her squad include staying focused on training and staying healthy.
“We’ll want to build endurance and speed, as many of these returning swimmers haven’t been conditioned in the pool since summer swim club,” Hughes said. “Illness and injury are always a concern during the peak of flu season. We have been encouraging our girls with good nutrition and getting enough rest each week.
“This will take dedication as a coach to design effective workouts to build endurance and speed for each swimmer,” Hughes added. “It will also take the dedication of the student-athletes to make practice and give it their all.”
Joplin is scheduled to open the season at Carthage on Dec. 1.
