Wildcat Swim Team Sweeps Season Opener
SHAMOKIN, PA – The smile on the face of first year coach Scott Bair said it all. “I couldn’t be any happier” said Bair. “I’m ecstatic!”
For a while, the Central Mountain swim team didn’t know if they’d even have a season this year, as they had lost access to the Lock Haven University pool due to the pandemic. The season was saved when the Western Clinton County Recreation Center offered the use of their pool for swim practices. It appears the Wildcat swimmers have put the borrowed water to good use, as the boys’ and girls’ teams travelled to Shamokin Thursday night and both came away with wins.
The Wildcat girls meet came down to the final event, the 400 yard Freestyle Relay. With a win in the relay, the Wildcats would bring home a win. A loss would leave the meet in a tie. Underclassmen Autumn Garman, Christina Smith, and Jocelyn Sproat handed a lead to senior anchor leg swimmer Morgan Brian, who then swam the fastest leg of the race to bring home the Wildcat win.
The Wildcats were put in the position to win after several good swims by a team that coach Bair described as “rusty.” “We’ve had very limited practice time, and our conditioning just isn’t where it should be yet. But it will come as the season progresses. These kids are working hard, and having fun. They’ll get there.”
Other event winners on the night included the 200 yard Medley Relay team of Maddie Bair, McKenna Fox, Ana Persun, and Hannah Brian, as well as Autumn Garman (200 Freestyle), Ana Persun (200 Individual Medley), Hannah Brian (500 Freestyle) and Maddie Bair (100 Backstroke)
On the boys’ side, the Wildcats came home with a 34-22 win, despite having only two swimmers. Bair described the boys team, which consists of senior Parker Orndorf and junior Leisher Gugino as “two very strong swimmers who can easily hold their own against any other two swimmers in the league.” For the night, Orndorf won the 100 Freestyle and the 100 Backstroke, while Gugino won the 200 Individual Medley and the 100 Butterfly.
The Wildcats are now off until next Wednesday, Jan. 20 when they will travel to Bloomsburg for a 4 p.m. meet. There will be no home meets this year due to pool size constraints at WCCRC.
