Experience and depth should be strengths of the Webb City High School girls swimming and diving squad this winter.
The Cardinals not only return several swimmers who competed at last year’s state championships, but also feature a deep roster that will allow the team to score big points at every event.
“We already know we will be a legit dual meet team as our roster will allow us to fill nearly every position with experienced athletes,” Webb City coach Shawn Klosterman said. “We will have some great depth. It’s been great to see the girls come in excited from Day 1 this year. It’s easy to see that they are hungry for success and I can’t wait to see what they can do.”
In a solid 2020-21 season, Webb City went 10-3 in duels, finished third at the Central Ozark Conference Meet and had a large group qualify for the Class 1 state championships.
Juniors Sophia Whitesell, Skylar Powell and Hally Philpot, seniors Ella Holt and Makenzie Storm and sophomore Avery Mitchell all return after a successful season last winter.
Powell finished 13th in the 50-yard freestyle at state, earning honorable mention all-state honors.
Webb City’s 400 freestyle relay finished 21st at state and featured Powell, Philpot, Mitchell and Whitesell. Holt, Powell, Philpot and Mitchell took 21st in the 200 freestyle relay at state.
Whitesell was the COC champ and set a record time in the 500 freestyle and also took second in the 200 IM. Powell was third in the conference in the 50 free and fourth in the 100 free.
Webb City’s 200 medley relay team of Holt, Storm, Whitesell and junior Olivia Honey placed third at last year’s COC event.
Klosterman also expects big things from senior Morgan Robinson, juniors Hannah Ross and Honey and sophomores Novelty Lamont and Allie Eggleston.
Several newcomers could also make an impact.
“We are also expecting major contributions from a few new fish like Alix Davis, Emma Gravemann, Kyndall Weston, Camryn Klosterman and Bailey Artinger, who are actually coming in with good experience in the pool from the summer leagues and USA programs,” Klosterman said.
With an experienced group back, and with the promising newcomers, Klosterman noted the goals are set high.
“We really want to make a great showing at the COC,” he said. “Last year we were third, and even though it might be too much of a leap to take the top spot, we intend to shoot for it anyway. We also have our sights on taking more qualifiers to state. We are confident that we can get all three relays qualified, and it will be competitive for those relay spots. We also aim to have several more individual qualifiers than last year and should have a large squad at the MSHSAA Class 1 meet.”
Klosterman added there’s a lot to like about this year’s team.
“We have a lot of versatile athletes this year so we will get to play around with the lineup quite a bit to make sure we have the best setup to go for that COC title,” he said. “We also have a very close group who encourage each other. Everyone wants to improve and wants to do the work to get there. They lift each other up in all the ways good teammates can.”
Heading into the season, diving is the main question mark for the Cardinals.
“Diving is usually a major advantage for us, but this year we are trying to build the squad with zero returning divers,” Klosterman said. “It will be a challenge but we feel we have plenty of time to get them ready for the COC. We also need our divers to be fearless in their new challenge. Diving is an incredibly hard sport to start as a new fish. I think it’s going to turn out well.”
Webb City will host a meet with Carl Junction, Hillcrest and Greenwood at 4:30 on Nov. 30.
The team’s Red Bird Invitational will be held on Dec. 11.
