Splashing Into the Season

“Swimming doesn’t always get a lot of publicity,” said Matthew Schoen, Head Coach of the Maple Grove Senior High School Girls Swimming and Diving Team. “But these girls work so hard. I want to recognize that.”

Schoen is right. Swimming often falls off the radar for most sports page-regulars. Similar to track and field, swimmers race the clock, propelling their bodies up and down a 25-yard pool, staring at the black line for hours. The girls swim team is no exception.

The Northwest Suburban Conference relay meet officially kicks off the season this Thursday, and the Crimson are ready. Over the last two weeks, the 60-some girls on the swim team have been practicing morning and night, preparing to defend their conference and section title. And though the team lost some fast seniors last year, like Elaine Boosalis, the now University of Iowa student responsible for breaking the team’s 500-yard freestyle record, Schoen is confident that the team’s depth of talent will outshine any one performer.

“We are a dual meet team,” Schoen said, referring to the team’s ability to perform consistently throughout the season. “This year, we return a strong core of girls.”

With 11 returning seniors and seven returning divers, two of which qualified for last year's state meet, Schoen is excited for their pending success. Along with veterans, young swimmers are rising to the top of the pack. Incoming ninth grader Erin Buck placed in the top 16 in the 100 and 200 yard freestyle at last year's state tournament.

The team also welcomed a new assistant coach, Lauren Stork, to the pool deck after losing last year’s assistant coach to Armstrong High School.

“Lauren is new to coaching, but familiar with the district,” Schoen said. “She swam at Park Center Senior High School and we’re excited to have her.”

With a few new faces, Schoen and the girls are pumped for a fun and grueling season. The group will spend time swimming between 6,000 and 8,000 yards a day. That equates to about about five miles during each practice. Since the team’s strength is freestyle, the swimmers can expect an emphasis on that stroke. And with 16 dual meets, one invitational and the championship season to focus on, the team will need all the training they can get.

“We have a long reputation of being competitive in our conference,” Schoen said. “We spend a lot of time doing speed work because high school swimming involves sprinting, but we also try to get our work done. We pride ourselves on being in good shape.”

According to the Minnesota State High School League web site, last year, finished eighth place at the state tournament, just two points behind Lakeville North High School. This year, Schoen hopes that the girls can place in the top 10 again and take home their eighth conference and fifth section title. 

The Crimson’s first dual meet will be Sept. 1 against Rochester Century High School.