Small but mighty swim team setting big goals for season

     Coming off a first place Purple Division win at the Pirate Invitational in Belton last weekend, the Boys Swim and Dive team was back at practice this week preparing for a Wednesday meet in Belton and the Independence Invitational this weekend.
     “I’m really proud of them, for as small as we are, they have held their own. The improvement from last year is just great to see. They’re a great group of guys and they work really hard. They hold each other accountable and push each other,” Head Coach Kara Liddle said.
     Seniors Isaac Burd and Riley Fangman said the team is strengthened by the number of upperclassmen on the roster.
     “We are driven to do our best every day. We have a lot of older swimmers that has helped quite a bit,” Burd said.
    “One of our main goals is to keep cutting time toward state times, and we are all pushing each other toward that goal,” Fangman said.
     The team begins practice each day at 5:30am, and keep each other motivated with a loud sing-a-long halfway through practice. They may not win any singing competitions with their daily renditions, but according to Liddle, it is another example of how the team has taken ownership of the camaraderie needed to be successful. 
     In addition to the first place team win at Belton, the 200 free relay team of Burd, Fangman, Evan Reich, and Tom Fligg came in 2nd last weekend.
     Burd placed 1st in the 50 yard free with a time of 24.79 and 2nd in the 100 yard free with a time of 53.82.
     Fangman placed 3rd in the 200 yard free with a time of 2:15.62, and 3rd in the 100 fly with a time of 1:07.04.
     Junior Evan Reich placed 4th in the 100 yard free with a time of 57.27.
     After graduation, both Burd and Fangman are planning to head to community college through the A+ program. Fangman plans to pursue a degree in marine biology.