New faces will appear poolside

By Audrey Donastorg 

Swimming may be a favorite summer pastime, but for a group of four spontaneous senior boys it’s about to become very competitive and strenuous.

Isaiah Hickman, Pierce Harrison, Trey Brummett, and Joey Collins have collectively decided to take the plunge and join this year’s boys swim team. A major influence their decision to join was social studies teacher and girls swim Coach Ashley Manger.

Hickman is the only one who has competed in a swim event; he won the Floyd Co. Invitational 50 yard butterfly. Getting back into the pool wasn’t so foreign to Hickman but for his fellow senior teammates, competing for swim is a totally new concept.

All four boys are involved in other Bulldog sports and say they possess a competitive nature, so the only ingredient left to complete this recipe to success, is honing in skill.

Each boy plans on bringing a different aspect to the team.

“I hope to bring synergy and team bonding,” Hickman said. “My senior teammates and I plan on bringing a huge stereo to the locker room so we can jam out before meets and practices to get excited.”

“A positive attitude,” Harrison said, “Although a lot of the swimmers are more skilled than me I still want to be a leader and motivate my team.”

Head Coach Dutch Vigar is pleased to have a larger number of swimmers than in years past. “We’ve struggled in the past partially because the numbers have been down,” Coach Vigar said, “With a few freshmen and a number of seniors who have never swum before coming in, the numbers will go up and that has potential benefits.”

Although the boys are excited for the season, they realize the work ahead will be a challenge. “It’s hard because if you don’t have your breathing technique down then you can’t breathe,”Brummett said.

“You have to use every muscle in your body and are constantly moving,”Collins said.

Although this swim season will be challenging for these senior newbies, they are determined to succeed.