The Webb City boys swimming and diving team captured a Central Ozark Conference championship and went 15-1 in duals in 2020.
And there’s bad news for the rest of the COC — the Cardinals have a solid core back in 2021.
Webb City will rely heavily on eight returning swimmers this fall, including a pair of state qualifiers. With that prior experience and overall team depth, the expectations are set high.
Cardinals coach Shawn Klosterman feels team chemistry is a strength of this year’s group.
“The real strength of this team is how close they are,” Klosterman said. “They motivate each other well and they know how to have fun while still putting in the work. We also have a deep enough team that I don’t feel we have any weak spots for the conference roster.”
Returning seniors are Carson Forcum, Zion Wood and Ethan Shipley.
In 1-meter diving, Forcum was the COC champion and a state qualifier. Wood was the conference runner-up in the 100 breaststroke a season ago, while Shipley took second at the COC Meet in both the 100 and 200 freestyle.
Also back are juniors Emiliano Vasquez, Judah Ritchie and Cody Herndon. Vasquez finished second in two events at last year’s conference meet, the 50 free and the 100 butterfly. Ritchie took fourth at the conference meet in the 100 backstroke.
Sophomore standout Micah Brouwer was last year’s conference champion and a state qualifier in the 100 breaststroke.
Sophomore Steve Kenlee and Herndon will play vital roles on relays. Carter Forcum and Adrien Black are newcomers who could contribute on the varsity.
Klosterman hopes to have a large group qualify for state.
“Last year these boys swam incredibly well on relays but were left out of the state meet due to the COVID restrictions reducing the number of teams allowed to qualify,” he said. “I know that state is a big goal for them before we even sit down to talk about the season.
“The big concern is the same as always,” Klosterman added. “Swim shape is not the same as being ready for other sports. We need to get right to work building up the frame and making the engines more efficient.”
Klosterman noted staying healthy and staying positive when it gets hard are main keys to success.
“And remembering how it felt to win last year and also how it felt to lose out on those relays getting into the MSHSAA Championships,” Klosterman said. “We want to end this season feeling we have taken a large step forward as a program.”
