Despite Small Squad, Gulf Swimmers Aren't Lacking Effort

swim coach Casey Claflin has 10 boys and 10 girls on his squad this year, which is about half the amount of swimmers of the squads that Gulf will compete against this season.  With "probably eight" students entering this season with competitive swimming experience, he's had more skilled and seasoned teams.

But what the Gulf High swimmers are lacking in depth and numbers, they make up for in effort and determination.

"These kids I have this year work hard," Claflin said. "They do get better, and at the end of the year, they seemed to be really pleased with themselves, and that's really what I'm trying to accomplish."

The team competed is two meets into the season, and it lost both. With low numbers, it's hard to compete with full squads.

On Tuesday (Sept. 6), the Buccaneers swimmers were defeated by the Mitchell Mustangs by a score of 100-65 (Boys) and 122-45 (Girls).

However, Claflin saw encouraging things. Specifically, the 200-Meter Medley relay team of Hunter Swartsel, Jordan Dailey, Spencer Regelson and Dan Ramech. That quartet broke a 27-year-old school record with a 1:49:03. Swartsel has also individually broken three school records of his own.

"Hunter has not only broken the records, he annihilated them," Claflin said. "And he's broke those records in the first two meets, which is an indication to me that he's going to do very well this year."

Another individual bright spot of the meet with Mitchell was Jordan Dailey. Dailey dominated the 500 M freestyle with a time of 5:15:67. Claflin thinks Dailey, Swartsel, Regelson and Ramech can all qualify for states with the right amount of work this season.

On the girl's side, Gulf is plagued with inexperience. But Claflin mentioned co-captains, Kelsey Magolan and Audrey Kuhns, along with Sarah Bachand as swimmers that will lead the girl swimmers all season long.

Want to see the team in action? They compete against Fivay High at tonight at 6 p.m.