Change brings falling numbers

The switch from winter to fall left local teams with historically low turnout.

Central's swimming team went from a program-high 34 swimmers a year ago to a program-low 12 in the first fall boys swimming season since the Missouri State High School Activities Association members voted to changed the swimming season from winter to fall.

Notre Dame's boys team saw its number drop to just 10 swimmers, also a low mark for the Bulldogs program.

The change of season brought an end to the Poplar Bluff boys team, which had to fold.

"Now we're without a conference, at least for this year," Central coach Dayna Powell said. "It hurts us. I still think that hurt will continue because of the number of activities in the fall. If this would have happened three years ago some of these kids may never have swam."

Added Notre Dame coach Lenny Kuper: "Obviously soccer and cross country are really big at Notre Dame. I was sorry some of the kids had to make that choice due to the decision of the state. I think what's unfortunate is the winter season for the boys we have only basketball."

The move to switch swimming seasons narrowly passed by a vote of 46-43 in the May 2004 MSHSAA ballot. Girls swimming also will change seasons, moving from the spring to the winter. Those schools that have water polo will play that sport in the spring.

Central and Notre Dame will face off in the season opener for both teams at 4 p.m. Monday at the Central Municipal Pool. The meet will be outdoors, as the bubble has not yet been put up.

"I think we're maybe the first ever meet outside," Powell said. "I'm hoping we're the first ever in Missouri."

Central Municipal Pool will be closed from Labor Day until late September, which will force Central and Notre Dame to seek other venues to swim in the area. The teams will use Capaha Pool along with others.

"This year, we're out three weeks. Next year, we're hoping to cut it to two weeks if possible," Powell said. "That will hurt us."

Due to the lack of numbers, both schools are having to shuffle their schedules. Dual meets pose a problem in filling the lanes for events. Also, without Poplar Bluff both teams lost a pair of duals.

"Small teams like ours cannot fill all the lanes in most events, therefor tri-meets are better for small teams than duals are," Kuper said. "We're trying to schedule more tri-meets."

Both squads have their fare share of graduates to replace. Notre Dame lost Jameson Kuper, who finished with five all-state medals in three years of high school swimming. He will compete this season for Southern Illinois University.

Notre Dame returns two swimmers who swam in relays at the state meet last year -- seniors Edward Doyle and Jordan Voss. Logan Bollinger and Jacob Buckenmyer, both sophomores, were alternates at state last season.

"Our guys are having a great time swimming," Kuper said.

The Tigers lost state-qualifiers Jason Mercer, Kris Metje, Daniel Austin and Tanner Rust. State-returnees include senior Hunter Givens, senior Jake Meyer and junior Peyton Waggener.

Central qualified all three relays and was represented in nearly every individual race. The Tigers made the second day in just one relay, finishing 16th in the 200 medley relay. Waggener and Givens swam on all three relays at state.

Meyer competed in both the 200 and 500 free at state, while Waggener and Givens each competed in an individual event.

"We'll be able to win a lot of events, but we won't have the depth to carry us through dual meets," Powell said.

BOYS SWIMMING

Central

Coach: Dayna Powell

* Returning starters: Jake Meyr, senior; Hunter Givens, senior; Peyton Waggener, junior; Taylor Herbst, junior; Matt Holmes, junior; Austin Mehner, junior; Thomas Dodd, junior; Chris Ogle, sophomore; Alex Knight, sophomore.

* Key newcomers: Robert Weir, senior; Michael Marrett, junior; Sam Gramling, freshman.

Notre Dame

Coach: Lenny Kuper

* Returning starters: Logan Bollinger, sophomore; Edward Doyle, senior; Aaron Tomaszewski, sophomore; Jacob Buckemyer, sophomore; Nick McCrate, senior; Jordan Voss, senior.

* Other top returning players: Nick Reinagel, sophomore; Ian Spaeth, junior.

* Key newcomers: Sean Doyle, freshman; Matt Caplan, freshman.