Boys swim prepares for State
The swimmers warm up for state training.
On Feb. 7 at Blue Valley Northwest, the boys swim and dive team warms up for the EKL meet, and prepares for State.
Before the meet, nine boys had qualified for State. At this meet, at least three more boys will qualify. Coach Arvel McElroy prepared these boys for State the whole season, but this meet will be their last chance.
“I’ve cut down a lot of their yardage,” Coach Arvel said. “I’m really hoping that this will help them today. It’s our last hope, our last measure.”
Many of the boys that previously qualified for state were mostly just trying to get best times to move up in rankings. But for others, it was a completely different story. Freshman Jack Spitler is standing behind the blocks, waiting for the 100 breast to start. He is off the cut by not even a second.
“I was so nervous,” Spitler said. “I was so afraid that I wasn’t going to make it.”
Luckily for him, he made the cut by about a full second. His time when he finished was 1:11.34, compared to his previous time of 1:12.01.
“When I looked up at that board, I felt so lucky,” Spitler said. “I worked so hard to get that time.”
The rest of the boys were so proud of Jack for his accomplishment. As he walked back to the crash area, the boys kept high fiving him and congratulating him. The older swimmers have a responsibility of making the freshman on the team feel welcome.
“We’re like a family,” freshman Sam Krone said. “We even have team dinners.”
McElroy is worried about Brandon Spitler who has been sick. Brandon was out of the water for nine days with a sinus infection, and some bruised knuckles. These injuries left him unable to swim for some time.
“Brandon has been looking really good during swim meets and practice,” McElroy said. “But he’s been sick so I don’t know how that will affect his performance.”
Brandon has been doing his best to get back in shape, mentally and physically. Another obstacle that the boys have overcome is the ability to realize the work they’ve put in to make this a great meet.
The swimmers warm up and prepare for state training.
“It’s a different story for swimming,” senior Jack Spitler said. “It’s all mental. You have to believe in yourself and the team.”
He’s very confident in himself that he’ll be able to do his absolute best. He’s been focusing on mental well-being, and physical aspects and getting in that right mindset.
“It would be amazing to be able to leave that meet with two silver medals,” Spitler said.
