Eagles Swim & Dive heads to district competition with strong Senior leadership

     Following a 4th place finish at Belton's Pirate Invitational, head coach Kara Liddle is excited for the team as they head to district competition. Madison Rogers was the conference champion (358.15).
     "I'm super proud of all of them," Liddle said. "Madison (Rogers) has had a phenomenal three years. Every year she has just gotten better and better. It will be exciting to see what the future holds for her."
     Senior Lauren Weidt qualified for districts placing third at the Pirate Invitational. 
     Weidt was a swimmer with the team the past three years, and decided to try diving her senior year. Weidt is also a cheerleader, which she said helped with her confidence on the diving board.
     "This is my first year diving, so I'm kinda stoked with how it went. I'm excited for districts. I love swimming, but this has been a fun challenge," Weidt said.
     After graduation, Weidt plans to head to Missouri State's pre-engineering program, and then transfer to study environmental engineering.
     "I want to make a change in the world, and I feel like that is where I want to make a change," Weidt said. 
     Senior Hayden Meyer, who was a three-year state qualifier for the team, has taken on a coaching and managing role this year.
     "We're super thankful for Hayden (Meyer). She has been a great asset for all of our girls, teaching and helping them. We're really thankful and proud of her as well," Liddle said.
     "I'm really enjoying this different role. I feel like I've grown more working with the team this way rather than on the board this year. Diving became very much a thing that I was used to, and not a thing that was challenging me. Managing and helping with coaching is more of a challenge to me than diving ever was," Meyer said.
     Meyer plans to continue assisting the team as a manager next year, with plans to work in Colorado as a white water rafting instructor. Meyer is looking toward a career as a stunt double in the entertainment industry. 
     Senior Alyssa Hanenkratt finished 6th in the 200-yard freestyle at the Pirate Invitational with a time of 2:23.28. 
     Hanenkratt also participates in the 100 free and the 400 and 200 relay events. 
     "200 is really where I do the best at," Hanenkratt said.
     Besides the 5am start time for practices, Hanenkratt emphasized the most challenging part of the sport is keeping motivated to continue practicing and improving.
     "It's all a mental game. Once I'm here and in the water, it's a lot better," Hanenkratt said.
     Senior Ella Boyle finished 6th in the 100 freestyle with a time of 1:30.42. 
     Boyle is finishing up a swimming career that began in elementary school.    
      "I've been doing club swimming since I was about 9," Boyle said.
     Boyle's competitive nature showed up early and was the motivation to get involved in the sport.
     "My brother was faster than me, and I didn't want anyone faster than me." 
     Boyle is now looking to outpace her competition in the post-season. 
    "I think conference adds such a fun atmosphere. We're close to qualifying for State, and that's a big motivator for us."

Left to right: Seniors Hayden Meyer (manager), Ella Boyle, ​Alyssa Hanenkratt, and Lauren Weidt.
Photo credit: Valley News staff