Oakville Swimmers Fall in Season Opener

Oakville junior Amanda Schlaker can only hope that the end of the 2011-12 season is as encouraging as the start.

Schlaker was a standout in the Tigers' season-opening 108-61 loss to Cor Jesu Wednesday at Mehlville High School.

Schlaker won a pair of individual races and was also part of the 400 free relay team which captured first place.

"Amanda hit her pacing times in the 500 and her IM was excellent as well," Oakville coach Dan Schoenfeldt said. "She is without question the hardest worker on the team."

Schlaker has yet to qualify for the state meet but early indications are very promising as she won the 500 freestyle with a PR time of 5:50.06. Schlaker barely broke six minutes in her best time as a sophomore.

"I am just seven seconds away," Schlaker said of the qualifying time in her specialty event. "Yesterday we had a mock meet and I wasn't feeling too well. I am very happy with the time for the first meet of the season. I went out relaxed and just tried to focus on kicking. I felt strong at the end. My goal this year is to qualify for state in the 500 and after today I definitely feel I can do this."

Schlaker also was impressive in winning the 200-IM in 2:29.63. Schlaker teamed with senior captain Kalin Sparks and sophomores Morgan Hoffman and Alex Books to win the 400 free relay in 4:11.32.

Hoffman, the team's lone returning state qualifier, also excelled in the season opener as she won two individual events.

Hoffman won the 50 freestyle (26.76) and the 100 freestyle (1:00.09). The 100 free was the meet's most competitive event as Hoffman won by just .05 of a second.

"There was some good and some room for improvement," Schoenfeldt said of the first meet. "We really have three solid swimmers in Morgan, Amanda and Alex.

"The focus this year will be on them and individual improvement. It is going to be tough to find individual success because over half of the girls on the team have been swimming for three months at the most."

Jessica Sack and Alli Gannon are the other co-captains of the 2011-12 Tigers along with Sparks.