Masuk High Girls Swim Team is Big and Building

The Masuk High girls swim team has the numbers. Now it just needs the experience.

The Panthers have an impressive 35 members this season as it looks to replace the losses of last fall's leading swimmers, Alysha Griffiths and Nicole Boyd, to graduation.

"Our strengths are our numbers. Our weakness is that the team is young," said Masuk coach Mark McKee.

Masuk's young swimmers and divers will look to four capable captains to help them build into a future force.

Senior captains Jessica Konkol and Elizabeth Seperack lead a good stable of divers. The senior season figures to be even more special for Konkol as she looks to break school records and has a great shot to post high in the state opens.

"Konkol is a sweetheart, but fierce competitor," said McKee. "Seperack brings the girls together and lightens up the mood."

Senior captains Emily DeMace and Rebecca Williams head the swimmers. DeMace aims to build on her solid showing in the 200-meter individual medley, 100-meter backstroke, 200-meter and 500-meter freestyle last fall. Williams is breaking into the top swimming spots thanks to her aggressive dedication to the team and sport. The Panthers will get a big boost from junior Renee Cayer who is poised for a breakthrough season in the 200-meter individual medley and 100-meter freestyle.

"Emily leads the girls by example in and out of the pool and Rebecca brings 100 percent energy to the captain position," McKee said.

Though inexperienced, McKee said his team has great ability and he is excited to see what it will do in the pool.

"We have such a big young team that it is really hard to say how we will do this season," he said. "I can see a lot of talented swimmers in the pool, many of them are great athletes and are just starting to hone their swimming ability.

"The important thing is that the girls are having fun together, supporting each other, leaving it in the pool everyday and working their tails off for each other."

The Panthers won their first meet over New Milford 98-81, followed by a loss to Laurelton, and a 94-73 victory over Bunnell.