The Carthage High School girls swim team will feature two returning starters and three athletes with prior varsity experience this winter.
“We’re very young and very inexperienced, so it will be a growth year,” Tigers coach Braden McBride said. “But we’re very excited about the upcoming season.”
Carthage’s returning starters are senior Aubree Santillan and sophomore Olivia Manning, while sophomore Kameron Dininger also returns with some varsity experience.
Santillan and Manning were part of Carthage’s 200-yard medley relay team that finished 12th in the consolation finals at last year’s MSHSAA Class 2 Swimming and Diving Championships, earning honorable mention all-state honors.
The Tigers lost two key performers to graduation, Madison Riley and Joey Hettinger.
A multi-year standout, Riley earned all-state honors in two individual events at last year’s state championships, as she placed fourth in the 100-yard butterfly and sixth in the 100 freestyle.
Riley and Hettinger joined Santillan and Manning on last year’s all-state relay team.
The Tigers finished 18th at last year’s Class 2 state meet, preceded by a fourth-place finish at the Central Ozark Conference Meet.
McBride said his program prides itself on hard work.
“We are going to do our best to outwork everyone,” he said.
McBride added the main area of concern heading into the season is the team’s overall inexperience.
For McBride, the keys to a successful season are simple.
“Growth and hard work,” he said.
Carthage will begin the 2023-24 season on Nov. 30 by hosting a meet at the Fair Acres Family YMCA.
Senior Kiki Thom is expected to lead the way for the Joplin High School girls swim team this winter.
As a junior, Thom recorded a state-consideration time in the 100-yard butterfly and swam on Joplin’s relay teams that achieved state-consideration times.
Joplin coach Juliana Hughes expects big things from Thom.
“Kiki has the ability to obtain state consideration times in her individual events and we have some strong girls coming in who could make some fast A-relays,” Hughes said. “Thom is a swim club member who practices during the summer to stay in peak condition.”
In addition to Thom, Joplin will rely on senior Emma Marshall, sophomores Brylea Smith and Lydia Barwick, junior Evelyn Watson and the junior sister duo of Gwen and Izzy Zamanzadeh.
Joplin must overcome the loss of seven seniors from last year’s squad, many of whom were key contributors.
“Because we lost seven of our swimmers to graduation, this may be a rebuilding season,” Hughes said. “With that said, I have some girls who make strong efforts with their practice sets and workouts outside of swim and should progress at a good rate over the season.”
Marshall is expected to compete in the long distance events.
“She often helps the girls with team organization, support, and suit malfunctions,” Hughes noted. “She enters each practice and meet with a smile and a determination that is infectious to others.”
Smith swam on the team’s A-relays last season.
“Smith can swim any stroke well and fast, but enjoys the 100 breaststroke and 100 butterfly,” Hughes said.
Barwick will likely be filling a spot on the team’s top relays.
“Barwick participates in a summer swim club to keep active and conditioned with her strokes,” Hughes said.
Watson is another athlete who may fill an open spot on the A-relays. She’s also expected to compete in the 200 individual medley and the 100 fly.
“Evelyn stays conditioned with her participation in Tri-State during the summer and regular swim club practices during the offseason,” Hughes commented.
“Gwen and Izzy Zamanzadeh will be returning this year with summer swim club experience and a heart to excel in some long distance events they started last season,” Hughes said. “They are great teammates, bring positivity and encouragement to the team, and never cease with their humor. Both are willing to swim any event and have shown amazing progress over the years and during the season as they drop time in their individual events.”
Coach Hughes said she’s confident the team will make steady progress throughout the season.
“Entering my fifth year as head coach of the girls, it is always exciting to see the progress each swimmer makes from year-to-year and throughout the season,” Hughes said. “As coaches, we try to teach good work ethic and, in the end, it always pays off with tremendous progress.”
“My concerns are mainly on the practice facilities and giving the girls the equity other teams have with practicing,” Hughes added. “Joplin doesn’t have our own school pool. We have always used the university’s pool and many repairs have been on the list to be made. When the university is closed or pool repairs are done, we are without a location to practice. In the past, the boys team has made special arrangements with the Joplin Family YMCA, who accommodates sharing the pool and a couple lanes during their open evening hours.”
Hughes added there’s a lot to like about this year’s group.
“The strength of our team is the encouragement and camaraderie each person provides to one another,” she said. “It is a special and unique experience to the sport of swim. Key to success for our team this year is working hard, trusting the process and learning from each mistake so we can go forward.”
Joplin will begin the season on Nov. 30 at Carthage. The Eagles will host an invite at MSSU on Dec. 12.
Returning state champion Chloe Miller will lead the way for the Carl Junction High School girls swim team this winter.
A senior standout who has signed with the University of South Dakota, Miller captured the Class 1 championship in the 50-yard freestyle at last year’s state meet.
In fact, Miller earned four medals at last year’s state meet, as she was fifth in the 100 freestyle and swam on two all-state relays, the 200 freestyle and the 400 free.
Miller was also part of four event wins at last year’s Central Ozark Conference Meet. She won both the 50 free and the 100 free while also swimming on CJ’s winning relays (200 free, 400 free).
Also back with prior starting experience are juniors Elyanna Dogotch and Avari Fifer.
Dogotch swam on the team’s relays that earned all-state recognition and won COC titles (200 freestyle, 400 free).
Seniors Kiley Brenneis, Jenna Besperat and Bella Laudermilk and sophomores Emma Graham and Lilian Schultz also return with varsity experience for the Bulldogs, who went 16-2 in duals and finished second at the conference meet last season.
With a solid group of returners, and with some promising newcomers, the expectations are set high in Carl Junction.
“I am honestly always excited for each season,” Carl Junction coach Stephanie Miller said. “After five years of pretty good results, I think I’m ready to just enjoy the process. After the first week of practice, I think the team is already socially clicking and that is a big part of the battle.”
Coach Miller added there’s a lot to like about this year’s group.
“The strengths of our team is knowing we have a history of putting up solid relays at the end of the season,” Coach Miller added. “We have returning swimmers Chloe and Elyanna who will continue to perform big for us. Regardless of our performance, we’ll have fun and that’s the biggest goal.”
Coach Miller expects eight new swimmers to contribute nicely. They are senior Audrey Fletcher, junior Madi Olds, sophomores Addie Eaker, Lana Ghoneim, Via Dennis and Adelaide Davidson and freshmen Elsa Dogotch and Jazzy Kalm.
With several newcomers to the varsity this winter, Coach Miller expects her team to make steady progress throughout the season.
“With half of my team new this year I would expect us to peak late in the season,” Coach Miller said. “I have a ton of athletic talent, but they need to learn how to translate that athleticism to the water. I have a ton of unknowns. I think this season will depend on the tenacity of my team.”
The Bulldogs lost a solid group of seniors to graduation, including state medalist Skyler Sundy, who placed fourth in the 100 backstroke and eighth in the 50 free at last year’s state championships.
“Our biggest challenge is just seeing how fast the new swimmers can learn the four strokes, turns, and starts and execute them in competition,” Coach Miller said. “Meanwhile, the seasoned swimmers need to get training. The coaches will definitely be multitasking this year. It will be fun and busy. Our success will depend on the girls believing they can do amazing. It’s basically up to them.”
Carl Junction will open the season on Nov. 28 at Webb City.
The Joplin area will once again be well-represented at the MSHSAA Boys Swimming and Diving Championships.
Joplin has entries in the Class 2 meet, while Carthage, Webb City, Monett and Nevada will have athletes competing at the Class 1 event.
The Class 1 meet is scheduled for Thursday and Friday, while the Class 2 event will be held on Friday and Saturday at the St. Peters Rec-Plex.
CLASS 2
JOPLIN EAGLES
The Joplin Eagles will compete in six events at the Class 2 state championships.
Joplin junior standout Nathan Wardlow qualified for the state meet in two individual events, the 500-yard freestyle and the 100-yard backstroke.
Wardlow is seeded ninth in both events. He’ll also compete on two relays.
Eagles junior Parker Hinman qualified in the 100 backstroke.
The Eagles swam qualifying times in all three relays during the regular season.
The 200 medley relay will feature Wardlow, Hinman and seniors Jackson Mordica and Ian Vermillion.
The team’s 200 freestyle relay consists of sophomore Isaiah Thom, Vermillion, junior Jordan Goins and Mordica.
Joplin’s 400 freestyle relay features Wardlow, Vermillion, Thom and Hinman.
Relay alternates are juniors Connor Intessimone and Gideon Speer and freshman Owen Mordica.
CLASS 1
CARTHAGE TIGERS
The Central Ozark Conference champion Carthage Tigers will be represented in nine of the 12 events at the Class 1 state championships.
The Tigers qualified for state in all three relays.
Senior Kellen Frieling, junior Braxton McBride and sophomore Will Wright qualified in two individual events apiece.
Frieling will compete in the 100 butterfly and the 100 backstroke, while McBride advanced in both the 50 freestyle and the 100 freestyle. Wright qualified in the 200 IM and the 100 breaststroke, while sophomore Maveric Allphin will compete in the 100 breaststroke.
In addition to Frieling, McBride, Wright and Allphin, seniors Noah Blackford, Ben Rogers and Daryl Martin, juniors Ryan Steinbach, Aydan Nye and Emerson Ixcol and sophomores Carter Yost and Hayden Wilkinson are options and alternates on the three relays.
WEBB CITY CARDINALS
Webb City will be represented in four events.
Webb City senior Micah Brouwer qualified in two individual events, the 200 IM and the 100 breaststroke.
Sophomore Grant Humphrey will compete in the 1-meter diving competition.
The Cardinals swam a qualifying time in the 400 freestyle relay, with junior Adrien Black, senior Aiden Patterson, freshman Cole Dalton and senior Steve Kenlee the likely foursome.
Sophomore Dalton Spence, junior Dagan Chacon, freshman Isaac Shipley and freshman Quentin Custenborder are listed as alternates for the relay.
MONETT CUBS
The Monett Cubs will compete in seven events.
For Monett, junior Jonathan Apostol qualified in the 200 IM and the 100 breaststroke, while senior Ryan Goodson advanced in the 50 free and the 100 free.
The Cubs qualified in all three relays.
NEVADA TIGERS
The Tigers will compete in four events.
Nevada sophomore Trace Gould advanced in the 100 breaststroke and classmate Kolton Evans qualified in the 100 backstroke.
Nevada qualified in two relays — the 200 and the 200 freestyle.
CARTHAGE, Mo. — The host Tigers captured the team championship at their own Carthage Invitational swim meet on Thursday night at the Fair Acres Family YMCA.
Carthage finished with 360 points, and Joplin was second with 206.
Rounding out the team standings were Monett (188), Hillcrest (129), Nevada (122), Marshfield (80), Seymour (21) and Greenwood (16).
The Carthage Tigers pose after winning their home invitational on Thursday. Courtesy photo.
CARTHAGE HIGHLIGHTS
Carthage’s 200-yard medley relay team of Kellen Frieling, Braxton McBride, Will Wright and Maveric Allphin took first in 1:46.
The Tigers also won the 400 freestyle relay with a time of 3:36, with McBride, Frieling, Aydan Nye and Wright competing.
Frieling and Wright each won a pair of individual events.
Frieling took first in the 100 butterfly in 57.34 seconds and the 100 backstroke in 58.34 seconds.
Wright won the 200 IM in 2:11 and the 100 breaststroke in 1:04.
Also winning individual events for Carthage were McBride (50 free) and Ryan Steinbach (500 free).
McBride was the runner-up in the 100 free, while Nye took second in the 200 free and Ben Rogers finished second in the 500 free.
The Tigers placed fourth in the 200 freestyle relay, with Allphin, Daryl Martin, Rogers and Nye competing.
JOPLIN HIGHLIGHTS
Joplin’s Nathan Wardlow won a pair of individual events, the 200 freestyle in 1:51 and the 100 freestyle in 49.76 seconds.
The Eagles won the 200 freestyle relay in 1:39, with Parker Hinman, Isaiah Thom, Ian Vermillion and Wardlow competing.
Joplin’s 400 freestyle relay team of Hinman, Thom, Vermillion and Wardlow finished second.
Hinman was second in two events, the 200 IM and the 100 butterfly.
The Eagles finished fourth in the 200 medley relay, with Owen Mordica, Jackson Mordica, Connor Intessimone and Jordan Goins competing.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
Nevada was the runner-up in the 200 medley relay. Nevada’s Kolton Evans was second in the 100 backstroke and teammate Trace Gould was the runner-up in the 100 breaststroke.
Monett’s Ryan Goodson took second in the 50 free and third in the 100 free.
The Joplin High School boys swim team won its home invite on Thursday at Missouri Southern.
The Eagles finished with 95 points, while Nevada (36) and Parkview (16) rounded out the team standings.
Joplin won all but two events.
Winning individual events for the Eagles were Jackson Mordica (200 freestyle, 100 breaststroke), Parker Hinman (200 IM, 100 free), Ian Vermillion (100 butterfly, 100 backstroke), Isaiah Thom (50 free) and Jordan Goins (400 free).
Joplin’s 200 freestyle relay team of Thom, Jackson Mordica, Owen Mordica and Hinman took first in 1:56.
The Eagles were second in two relays, the 200 medley and the 400 freestyle.
Nevada’s 200 medley relay team of Kolton Evans, Trace Gould, Cooper Pennington and Jacob Sohm took first place with a time of 2:05.
The Tigers won the 400 freestyle relay in 4:39, with Gould, Jayden Thankamani, Pennington and Evans competing.
MONETT, Mo. — Athletes from Joplin, Webb City and Carthage fared well at the Monett Invitational boys swim meet on Tuesday.
JOPLIN RESULTS
Joplin’s Nathan Wardlow won two individual events, the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:10 and the 100 backstroke in 57.23 seconds.
Joplin’s 200-yard medley relay team of Wardlow, Jackson Mordica, Parker Hinman and Ian Vermillion took second in 1:49.
The Eagles were also second in the 400 freestyle relay, with Isaiah Thom, Vermillion, Hinman and Wardlow competing.
Joplin’s 200 freestyle relay team of Owen Mordica, Jordan Goins, Jackson Mordica and Thom took fourth.
Hinman was the runner-up in the 100 butterfly and also placed third in the 100 backstroke.
Thom took third in the 100 freestyle and Vermillion and Thom placed third and fourth in the 50 freestyle.
Jackson Mordica finished fourth in the 100 backstroke, fifth in the 100 breaststroke and eighth in the 200 free.
WEBB CITY RESULTS
Webb City’s 200 medley relay team of Cole Dalton, Micah Brouwer, Steve Kenlee and Adrien Black placed third in 1:53.
The Cardinals were third in the 400 free relay, with Kenlee, Dalton, Aiden Patterson and Black recording a time of 3:51.
Black was the runner-up in the 500 freestyle, while Dalton Spence finished third in the 200 IM and Brouwer took third in the 100 butterfly.
Webb City’s Black, Kenlee and Patterson finished fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively, in the 200 freestyle.
Brouwer took fourth in the 100 breaststroke, Patterson was fourth in the 500 free, Cole took fifth in the 100 backstroke and Spence was sixth in the 100 breaststroke.
Dagan Chacon was seventh in the 100 free and eighth in the 50 free.
The Cardinals were fifth in the 200 free relay (Brouwer, Chacon, Spence, Patterson).
Webb City’s Grant Humphrey, Landon Sharon and Derrick Crook were the top three finishers in the diving competition.
CARTHAGE RESULTS
Carthage’s Kellen Frieling won two individual events, the 200 IM in 2:12 and the 100 butterfly in 59.88.
Braxton McBride took first in the 50 freestyle with a time of 23.14 seconds and also won the 100 freestyle in 50.87 seconds.
Carthage’s 200 medley relay team of Frieling, McBride, Will Wright and Maveric Allphin took first in 1:47.
The Tigers were second in the 200 freestyle relay in 1:35, with Frieling, Wright, Allphin and McBride competing.
Carthage finished fourth in the 400 free relay, with Daryl Martin, Aydan Nye, Ben Rogers and Noah Blackford competing.
Wright was the runner-up in both the 200 freestyle and 100 breaststroke, while Allphin finished fourth in the 100 free.
Blackford finished fourth in the 100 fly, while Nye, Carter Yost and Dylan Evans took fifth through seventh in the 200 IM.
Ryan Steinbach placed fifth in the 500 free and Daryl Martin finished sixth in the 100 backstroke.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
Monett’s Jayden Apostol won the 100 breaststroke (1:06) and teammate Ryan Goodson was the runner-up in the 50 free.
Nevada’s Kolton Evans took second in the 100 backstroke.
The Carthage High School boys swim team will be led by a group of returning state medalists this fall.
Senior Kellen Frieling, junior Braxton McBride and sophomore Will Wright all return to the pool after bringing home medals from last year’s MSHSAA Boys Swimming and Diving Championships.
Frieling finished 15th in the 100-yard backstroke at the state meet.
The Tigers earned all-state recognition in two relays last year, as the 200-yard medley relay team of Frieling, McBride, Wright and Eli Cox finished 15th and the same foursome took 16th in the 400 free relay. Cox was the lone senior of the relays.
Also key performers back for the Tigers are seniors Noah Blackford, Daryl Martin and Ben Rogers.
Juniors Angel Guzman, Wyatt Hole, Emerson Ixcol, Aydan Nye and Ryan Steinbach, along with sophomores Maveric Allphin, Camden Campbell and Carter Yost are other returning athletes with prior varsity experience.
Newcomers to the team include junior Caleb Bonilla-Pastor, sophomores Satchel Eckerson, Drystan Hibdon, Austin Huskey and Hayden Wilkinson and freshmen Dylan Evans and Bennett Ragsdale.
The 2022 season was one to remember for the Tigers, as Carthage captured its first-ever Central Ozark Conference championship before a solid showing at the state meet.
The Tigers won three events at the COC Meet, the 400 free relay, the 200 medley relay and the 50 freestyle (Braxton McBride).
With last year’s success, and with a solid group returning, Carthage coach Braden McBride noted the team is very excited to get the season underway.
“We are optimistic about our upcoming season,” Coach McBride said. “We have a good number of experienced swimmers who balance those who are new to the sport.”
As far as team strengths, Coach McBride noted the Tigers have great team chemistry.
“We have a very tight-knit group of young men,” he said. “We focus on team success before individual success. These components will help us achieve our goals.”
The Tigers must overcome the loss of four seniors, Trey Nye, Will Wallace, Landon White and Cox, who played big roles on last year’s squad.
With that, the Tigers will have some varsity newcomers in key roles.
“We have a large number of swimmers who are new to the sport,” McBride said. “We’ll go through growing pains at the beginning of the season. Our goal is that they will start contributing to team success by the end of the season.”
As far as a key to success this fall, McBride mentioned putting the team over the individual, along with continued hard work in practice.
“We have a motto “The We is greater than Me.” We will have success when the athletes on the team put each other first.”
Carthage is scheduled to begin the ’23 season on Aug. 26 at the West Plains outdoor meet.
ST. PETERS, Mo. — Carthage High School senior Madison Riley advanced to the championship finals in two events on Thursday on the opening day of the MSHSAA Class 2 Girls Swimming and Diving Championships at the St. Peters Rec-Plex.
In Thursday’s prelims, the top 16 swimmers in each event advance to Friday’s finals, with the top eight moving on to the championship finals.
Riley placed fifth in two events—the 100-yard butterfly in 57.2 seconds and the 100 freestyle in 53 seconds. With that, Riley has locked up state medalist honors in both events.
Overall, the Tigers will be competing in three events on Friday.
Carthage’s 200 medley relay team of Aubree Santillan, Olivia Manning, Riley and Joey Hettinger finished 10th with a time of 1:53, securing a spot in the consolation finals. The Tigers were seeded 19th in the event but moved up to 10th with a solid performance in the prelims.
Carthage’s 200 freestyle relay team of Riley, Manning, Kamryn Dininger and Hettinger finished 24th, while the team of Santillan, Manning, Dininger and Jekatorine Arnold finished 29th in the 400 freestyle relay.
Also on Thursday, Santillan finished 21st in the 100 backstroke and Manning was 21st in the 100 breaststroke.
The Class 2 finals are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Friday.
The Class 1 prelims, featuring swimmers from Webb City, Carl Junction and Thomas Jefferson, are scheduled to begin at 4:30 on Friday.
The Carthage Tigers began competition at the Class 2 state swim meet on Thursday in St. Peters. The Tigers advanced three entries to Friday’s finals. Courtesy photo.
For the first time in program history, the Webb City High School girls swimming and diving team captured the team championship at the SWMO Championships.
Webb City’s previous top finish at the event was third place.
On Saturday in Springfield, Webb City compiled 384 points, 40 more than second place West Plains.
Ozark (331), Carl Junction (326) and Kickapoo (264) finished third, fourth and fifth. Carthage finished eighth with 163 points. There were 23 full squads in attendance.
Webb City’s Sophia Whitesell won two events—the 200-yard individual medley (2:13) and the 100-yard breaststroke (1:10).
The Cardinals fared well in all three relays, as the 200 medley relay and the 400 freestyle relay both finished third and the 200 free relay was fourth.
Also for the Cardinals, Norah Klosterman finished third in the 500 freestyle and eighth in the 200 free, Skylar Powell took fourth in the 50 free and Camryn Klosterman was fifth in the 200 IM and seventh in the 100 breaststroke.
Webb City’s Alix Davis placed seventh in the 100 free and eighth in the 50 free, Powell was eighth in the 100 free, Hally Philpot finished eighth in the 100 breaststroke and Avery Mitchell was ninth in the 100 free and 10th in the 50 free.
Webb City’s Kelli Tollefson finished sixth in the diving competition.
Carl Junction won four events.
Carl Junction’s Chloe Miller was the champion in both the 50 freestyle (24.02) and the 100 free (53.09), while Skyler Sundy won the 100 backstroke (1:00).
The Bulldogs took first in the 200 freestyle relay in 1:41. Carl Junction placed second in the 400 freestyle relay and sixth in the 200 medley relay.
CJ’s Sundy was third in the 50 free, while Madeleine Garoutte placed fourth in the 100 butterfly and took sixth in the 200 IM.
Carthage’s Madison Riley won a pair of individual events—the 200 freestyle (1:55) and the 100 butterfly (57.48).
The Tigers finished second in the 200 freestyle relay,
Also for Carthage, Olivia Manning was the runner-up in the 100 breaststroke and took eighth in the 200 IM, while Aubree Santillan took third in the 100 backstroke.
Joplin’s Kiki Thom placed 11th in the 100 butterfly and 12th in the 200 IM. The Eagles finished 11th in the 200 medley relay.
Thomas Jefferson’s Natalie Carroll finished fourth in the 100 breaststroke, while Jasper’s Audrey Osterdyk finished ninth in the 100 breaststroke.
Monett placed seventh in the 400 freestyle relay.
SWMO Championships
Final team standings: Webb City 384, West Plains 344, Ozark 331, Carl Junction 326, Kickapoo 264, Glendale 251, Central 216, Carthage 163, Lebanon 157, New Covenant 152, Nixa 119, Rogersville 116, Greenwood 114, Monett 86, Joplin 62, Nevada 41, Marshfield 26, Thomas Jefferson 24, Waynesville 24, Jasper 19, Hillcrest 14, Bolivar 12, Camdenton 4.
Webb City claimed the team championship and Carthage finished second at the Parkview Valkyrie Invitational on Saturday in Springfield.
Webb City finished with 265 points and Carthage was next with 185.
Rounding out the top five teams were Lebanon (162), Central (135) and Rogersville (109). There were 16 teams in attendance.
WEBB CITY HIGHLIGHTS
Shawn Klosterman’s Cardinals won five events.
Webb City’s Sophia Whitesell won two individual events and was also part of two winning relays.
Whitesell took first in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 1 minute, 3 seconds and also won the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:11.
The Cardinals won the 200 freestyle relay in 1:50, with Skylar Powell, Avery Mitchell, Olivia Honey and Whitesell swimming.
The WCHS team of Powell, Mitchell, Alix Davis and Whitesell took first in the 400 freestyle relay with a time of 3:59.
Webb City’s 200 medley relay team finished sixth, with Davis, Hally Philpot, Honey and Allie Eggleston competing.
The Cardinals had four of the top five finishers in the 100 freestyle, as Davis took first in 59.47 seconds, Mitchell was second in 59.67, Powell was third in 59.77 and Honey took fifth with a time of 1:04.
Eggleston was the runner-up in the 200 freestyle in 2:26, while Mitchell and Powell finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the 50 freestyle with their times of 26.5 and 26.67 seconds.
Also for the Cardinals, Davis took fifth in the 100 backstroke, Novely Lamont finished sixth in the 200 IM, Eggleston was sixth in the 500 free, Philpot was eighth in the 100 breaststroke and Hannah Ross was ninth in the 200 free
Webb City’s Kelli Tollefson and Kiera McDonald placed fourth and fifth in the 1-meter diving competition.
CARTHAGE HIGHLIGHTS
The Tigers won three events.
Carthage’s Madison Riley won two individual events and also swam on a winning relay.
Riley took first in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:22. Riley won the 200 individual medley in 2:13, with teammate Victoria Martinez third in the same event (2:44).
Carthage won the 200-yard medley relay in 2:01, with Aubree Santillan, Olivia Manning, Riley and Martinez competing.
The Tigers were second in the 400 free relay, with Riley, Santillan, Manning and Martinez recording a time of 4:06.
The CHS team of Joey Hettinger, Kamryn Dininger, Reese Lee and Madelyn Kennedy took sixth in the 200 freestyle relay.
Santillan was the runner-up in the 100 backstroke in 1:08, while Manning took third in the 100 breaststroke and fifth in the 100 freestyle.
Also for the Tigers, Dininger took sixth in the 100 fly, Kennedy was eighth in the 200 free, while Santillan and Hettinger finished eighth and ninth in the 50 free. Hettinger was also 10th in the 100 free.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
Nevada’s Chloe Morris took third in the 200 freestyle, while teammate Avery Morris was fourth in the 100 backstroke and fifth in the 200 IM.
Monett’s Macey Flynt was second in the diving competition.
The Cubs finished fifth in the 400 freestyle relay, with Katie Geiss, Amelia Lucore, Emma Hunter and Grace Lee competing.
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.
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.
The Webb City High School girls swimming and diving team returns a solid nucleus from last year’s squad that not only won the Central Ozark Conference Meet, but also concluded the season with a number of all-state performances.
The Cardinals feature 19 athletes who played a role on last year’s team that went 15-0 in duals and captured a conference crown. Among the returning swimmers are athletes who garnered all-state and all-conference recognition a season ago.
With that, it’s safe to say the Cardinals are poised to have another stellar winter.
“This team is hungry for success,” Cardinals coach Shawn Klosterman said. “We have several returning athletes who have put in a lot of extra time getting bigger and stronger since last season. I’ve been getting a lot of questions about meets and relay lineups, which shows me their minds are in the right place heading into the season. Our veterans are also excited about the new fish coming in as we have a few with a lot of swimming background and a few more with a lot of athletic ability who have been successful athletes in other sports.”
Seniors Sophia Whitesell (IM, distance), Olivia Honey (freestyle), Skylar Powell (freestyle), MacKenna Kelly (freestyle), Hally Philpot (freestyle, breaststroke), Hannah Ross (backstroke, free) and Eden Paul (IM, butterfly) return with plenty of varsity experience.
“My seniors this year are excellent leaders who bring the team together to work hard every day and motivate them to give it all when the races count,” Klosterman said. “I couldn’t ask for better leadership than we’ll have this year.”
Returning juniors are Bailey Artinger (freestyle, breast), Emma Burke (backstroke), Allie Eggleston (distance), Novely Lamont (IM, breast), Talyn Lewis (distance), Kiera McDonald (backstroke), Avery Mitchell (freestyle) and Kelly Tollefson (diving).
Returning sophomores are Alix Davis (freestyle, back), Camryn Klosterman (IM), Hattie Warren (diving), Kyndall Weston (IM, breast) and Emily Wood (freestyle).
The Cardinals return plenty of state experience.
At last year’s Class 1 state meet, Whitesell placed eighth in the 200 IM and 16th in the 500 freestyle, while Powell finished 13th in the 50 freestyle and 14th in the 100 freestyle.
Webb City’s 400 freestyle relay team of Powell, Mitchell, Davis and Whitesell took 11th place. The 200 medley relay team that featured Camryn Klosterman, Whitesell and Honey (15th) and the 200 free relay that featured Powell, Honey and Mitchell (16th) also recorded top 16 finishes at state.
At last year’s COC Meet, the Cardinals won the 400 free relay, took second in the 200 medley and were third in the 200 free relay.
Whitesell won the 500 freestyle and was the COC runner-up in the 200 IM, while Powell was third in the 100 free and fourth in the 50 free and Camryn Klosterman was fourth in the 100 fly and fifth in the 200 IM. Also at last year’s COC Meet, Mitchell was fourth in the 100 free and fifth in the 50 free, Davis was sixth in the 100 backstroke and Philpot took sixth in the 100 breaststroke.
“We had a great showing at COC and at the MSHSAA Championships last year and we are returning a lot of dedicated Cardinals,” Coach Klosterman noted.
Coach Klosterman hopes to see similar, if not improved, results this winter.
“The COC Championship is always a goal, but getting as many athletes into the state meet as we can is certainly a priority for my returners,” he said.
In addition to the large group of returning swimmers, Webb City will feature some promising newcomers.
Coach Klosterman listed senior Jaylynn Reno, sophomore Trinity Custenborder and freshmen Madison Allen, Saige Boulware, Carly Brigance, Sophia Jiminez, Alivia Johnson, Norah Klosterman, Jai Potter and Jaeli Rutledge as newcomers to watch.
“We’ll have a lot of new fish so it is always a challenge to get them race ready quickly and to figure out which events their natural ability will lead them toward,” Coach Klosterman said. “We also have a lot of versatile athletes I can place in any event, so some of our veterans will need to be ready to jump in wherever the team needs them.”
Those newcomers will provide more depth for the Cardinals.
“I think we’ll be especially strong this year both in dual meets and in the major invites and championship meets,” Coach Klosterman said. “Our lineup should be able to fill every event with big point scorers no matter what level of meet we’re at. I’m excited about our depth.”
With the program’s goals always set high, Coach Klosterman noted the keys to a successful season are simple.
“The keys are staying healthy and motivated through the toughest part of the training year,” he said. “Once we get to January, the schedule gets hard with meets and tough workouts. Once we get over that hill, as long as everyone stays on their game, is when we start seeing breakout swims and the payoff for all their hard work and time sacrifice.”
The Cardinals will host a season-opening meet on Nov. 29.
A pair of returning state qualifiers, including the program’s first-ever state medalist, will lead the way for the Carthage High School girls swim team this winter.
Senior Madison Riley and junior Aubree Santillan return to the pool for Braden McBride’s Tigers.
Riley placed fourth in the 100-yard butterfly (58.86) at last year’s Class 1 state meet. Coach McBride said Riley is the first state medalist in program history.
Riley and Santillan were part of two relays that advanced to the state finals. The team’s 200 freestyle relay placed 11th and the 200 medley relay was 12th.
Riley also won two individual events at last year’s COC Meet.
Riley was the conference champion in the 200 freestyle with a time of 2:01 and also touched the wall first in the 100 butterfly in 1:00.94. Both are meet records.
Santillan finished fourth in two events at last year’s conference meet, the 200 IM and the 100 backstroke.
Rounding out this year’s roster are seniors Joey Hettinger and Victoria Martinez, junior Alexis Fosdick, sophomores Charity Fultz, Anne Kennedy, Madelyn Kennedy and Reese Lee.
“We’re going to have a lot of underclassmen,” McBride said. “They’re excited to come out and to be a part of the team. They are all very excited. We are a very young team, with many of the girls new to the sport.”
The Tigers lost three key performers to graduation—Cassidy Smith, Hope Fultz and Elena Wright.
McBride said the main goal for the 2022-23 season is a simple one—improve each and every day.
The Tigers will host the Carthage Relays on Dec. 1 at the Fair Acres Family YMCA.
ST. PETERS, Mo. — The Carthage Tigers earned all-state honors in three events at the 2022 MSHSAA Boys Swimming and Diving Championships on Saturday at the St. Peters Rec-Plex.
The top 16 in each event earn all-state recognition.
Carthage’s 200-yard medley relay team of Kellen Frieling, Braxton McBride, William Wright and Eli Cox finished 15th with a time of 1:44.
The Tigers finished 16th in the 400 freestyle relay, as McBride, Cox, Wright and Frieling recorded a time of 3:27.
A junior, Frieling finished 15th in the 100 backstroke in 55.73 seconds.
Monett senior Matthew Fillinger finished 13th in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:49 to earn all-state recognition.
Also on Saturday, Webb City freshman Maddox Wood finished 21st in the prelims of the 1-meter diving competition. Wood earned a score of 132.20.
ST. PETERS, Mo. — The Carthage Tigers advanced to the finals in three events at the MSHSAA Class 1 Swimming and Diving Championships on Friday at the St. Peters Rec-Plex.
In Friday’s prelims, the top eight in each event moved on to the championship finals and those who finished ninth through 16th advanced to the consolation finals.
Carthage’s 200-yard medley relay team of Kellen Frieling, Braxton McBride, William Wright and Eli Cox finished 16th in 1:43 to advance.
The Tigers also advanced in the 400 freestyle relay, as McBride, Cox, Wright and Frieling took 16th in 3:26.
A junior, Frieling advanced to the finals of the 100-yard backstroke by finishing 16th in 55.69 seconds. Frieling also finished 32nd in the 200 freestyle.
A sophomore, McBride finished 25th in the 50 freestyle and 28th in the 100 free.
Monett senior Matthew Fillinger advanced to the finals of the 200 freestyle by finishing 12th in 1:48. Fillinger also finished 17th in the 100 butterfly.
The Cubs were 20th in the 200 free relay, 28th in the 400 free relay and 31st in the 200 medley relay. Monett’s Ryan Goodson finished 20th in the 50 freestyle and 23rd in the 100 free.
Webb City’s Micah Brouwer finished 18th in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:03, missing a trip to the finals by two spots.
The Cardinals finished 24th in the 200 medley relay in 1:46, with Judah Ritchie, Micah Brouwer, Emiliano Vasquez and Cody Herndon swimming.
Webb City finished 31st in the 400 free relay, as Vasquez, Steve Kenlee, Brouwer and Herndon recorded a time of 3:43.
Webb City’s Maddox Wood will compete in the diving competition on Saturday.
ST. PETERS, Mo. — The Joplin High School boys swim team concluded the 2022 season at the 86th MSHSAA Swimming and Diving Championships on Thursday at the St. Peters Rec-Plex.
Competing in the Class 2 preliminaries, the Eagles were unable to advance to the finals of their events. The top 16 in each event advanced to Friday’s finals.
Joplin sophomore Nathan Wardlow just missed advancing to the finals of the 500-yard freestyle. Wardlow finished 17th in the prelims with a time of 4:54.91. The 16th place finisher recorded a time of 4:54.86.
Wardlow also finished 28th in the 200 IM with a time of 2:05.
In other individual events, JHS senior Zane Newman finished 26th in the 50 free in 22.91 seconds and sophomore Parker Hinman finished 28th in the 100 backstroke in 58.55 seconds.
The Eagles competed in all three relays.
Joplin’s 200 medley relay team of Hinman, Jackson Mordica, Ian Vermillion and Newman finished 18th in 1:47.
The Eagles placed 24th in the 200 freestyle relay, as Newman, Vermillion, Isaiah Thom and Wardlow recorded a time of 1:37.
The JHS team of Newman, Vermillion, Hinman and Wardlow finished 25th in the 400 free relay with a time of 3:36.
The Class 1 prelims will begin on Friday afternoon. Webb City, Carthage and Monett will have athletes competing.
Swim teams from Joplin, Carthage, Webb City and Monett will conclude the 2022 season alongside the state’s best at the 86th annual MSHSAA Boys Swimming and Diving Championships in St. Peters.
Joplin will be the lone area school competing in Class 2, while Carthage, Webb City and Monett will compete in Class 1.
Held at the St. Peters Rec-Plex near St. Louis, the Class 2 meet is Thursday and Friday, while the Class 1 event is Friday and Saturday.
The Class 2 prelims begin at noon on Thursday, with the finals scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday.
The Class 1 prelims begin at 4:30 on Friday, with the finals slated to begin at 3 on Saturday.
Pictured are Joplin’s state qualifiers, along with assistant coach Juliana Hughes and head coach Aaron Stump. Courtesy photo.
JOPLIN EAGLES SET FOR STATE
Joplin will be represented at the Class 2 state meet by six athletes — senior Zane Newman, juniors Ian Vermillion and Jackson Mordica, sophomores Parker Hinman and Nathan Wardlow and freshman Isaiah Thom.
“I was confident in this group before our season even began,” Joplin coach Aaron Stump said. “We have an experienced group with returning swimmers and those with year-round dedication beyond our high school team. I’m proud of this group and everything they’ve accomplished. I would have liked to see more individual qualifiers, but everyone in the group improved their times. I see that happening next year based on the progress I’ve seen and the caliber of swimmers who will be returning.”
Wardlow is seeded 14th in the 500-yard freestyle and 23rd in the 200-yard individual medley. Hinman is seeded 30th in the 100 backstroke and Newman is seeded 31st in the 50 freestyle.
The Eagles qualified for state in all three relays.
Joplin is seeded 24th in the 400 freestyle relay, 25th in the 200 medley relay and 26th in the 200 freestyle relay. The 200 medley relay will feature Hinman, Mordica, Vermillion and Newman, while the 200 free relay consists of Newman, Vermillion, Thom and Wardlow.
Newman, Vermillion, Hinman and Wardlow make up the 400 free relay.
“Making the finals would be great since the guys weren’t able to get there last year, but my focus is on continued improvement,” Stump said.
CLASS 1: TIGERS, CARDS, CUBS COMPETING
CARTHAGE
Central Ozark Conference champion Carthage is sending eight athletes to state — seniors Eli Cox, Trey Nye, Will Wallace and Landon White, junior Kellen Frieling, sophomore Braxton McBride and freshmen Maveric Alphin and William Wright.
“Making the state meet is a large accomplishment in itself,” Tigers coach Braden McBride said. “It’s very exciting. This year we have the chance of making the finals in three or four events, but we’ll have to swim personal bests to make the finals. Our main goal is to compete well. If we swim personal bests, and don’t make the finals, at least we’ll know we did everything we could possibly do.”
Frieling is seeded 12th in the 100-yard backstroke and 31st in the 200 freestyle, while Braxton McBride is seeded 18th in the 50 freestyle and 26th in the 100 freestyle.
The Tigers will compete in all three relays. Carthage is seeded 13th in the 400 freestyle relay, while the team’s 200 medley relay is seeded 15th and the 200 freestyle relay is seeded 24th.
“We knew we would make the cut in five out of the seven events,” Coach McBride added. “Kellen Frieling in the 200 free and Braxton McBride in the 100 free were surprises.”
WEBB CITY
Webb City is sending eight athletes to the state meet.
Representing the Cardinals are seniors Cody Herndon, Judah Ritchie and Emiliano Vasquez, juniors Micah Brouwer, Steve Kenlee and Aiden Patterson, sophomore Adrien Black and freshman Maddox Wood.
“The state meet is always a blast, and the goal is always to get as many people invited as possible and to be at our fastest when we get there,” Webb City coach Shawn Klosterman said. “Any points on the board at the MSHSAA Championship are an achievement. This group of boys has their eyes on trying to get every event into the top 16 if we can. This year we got two of the three relays invited, along with two individual events. We were a little disappointed that we didn’t sneak the 200 free relay in, but we just ran out of opportunities to put that one together.”
Brouwer is seeded 13th in the 100 breaststroke, while Wood qualified to compete in the 1-meter diving competition.
“It is encouraging to have Micah ranked relatively high individually,” Klosterman said. “And Maddox Wood’s fourth place finish at districts makes me think he has a shot to score as a freshman in diving.”
The Cardinals are seeded 24th in the 200 medley relay and 31st in the 400 freestyle relay.
“The 200 medley will be Judah, Micah, Emiliano and Cody,” Klosterman noted. “The 400 free relay will most likely be Emiliano, Steve, Micah and Cody. The relays are always exciting at state because during a typical meet the boys have four events, so they’ll have a little more rest and be a little more fresh this weekend. I’m hoping to see some inspired splits to get what we need to return Saturday for finals.”
MONETT
Monett will be represented by seniors Matthew Fillinger and Lincoln Johnson, juniors Ryan Goodson and Sandeep Maharjan, sophomores Jayden Apostol and Spencer Hunt and freshman Rowan George.
Fillinger is seeded 11th in the 200 freestyle and 15th in the 100 butterfly, while Goodson is seeded 12th in the 100 free and 17th in the 50 free.
The Cubs are seeded 15th in the 200 freestyle relay, 23rd in the 400 freestyle relay and 25th in the 200 medley relay.
