BY JASON PEAKE
The Webb City High School girls swim team has experienced immediate success at the beginning of the 2018-19 season.
Want proof? The Cardinals are 18-1 in dual meets thus far.
"We've got a really good, deep roster that has helped us win a lot of matches," Webb City coach Shawn Klosterman said. "We've got 37 girls on the roster and half of them are inexperienced. But they're learning fast and we're filling every spot in the lineup pretty strongly."
Webb City started the season with 16-straight dual victories. The team competed at Park Hill on Saturday and the Cardinals earned wins over Kickapoo and Nixa before dropping a match to the hosts.
Key to the team's early success is a solid group of returning swimmers.
"I've definitely got a good core," Klosterman said.
Top performers for the Cardinals are seniors Mary Bean and Allie Storm, juniors Anna Swearengen, Hannah Robinson and Ashley Philpot and sophomore Macy Bean.
"Mary and Macy Bean worked really hard this fall before the season and they're leading the charge right now," Klosterman said. "Allie, Hannah and Ashley came (into the season) in pretty good shape and they're already swimming close to their lifetime bests. And Anna is going to do well. She's still trying to get back into shape."
A senior, Mary Bean is a returning all-state performer, as she placed seventh in the 50-yard freestyle and 15th in the 100 butterfly at last year's state meet.
Bean, Storm and Swearengen swam on the team's 200 medley relay team that
finished seventh at last year's state meet.
Also back is junior diver Ashley Cole, who finished fifth at last year's state competition.
Freshman Liv Taylor is another diver who has shown a lot of potential, Klosterman said.
"Ashley is diving really well right now and I think Liv is going to do well," he said.
Other seniors on the roster are Maddie Alexander, Alyssa Gatlin, Julia Linder, Kelly Mort and Kaleigh Triplett, while the other juniors are Maddie Allen, JalenAnsley, Andi Barnard, Karson Culver, Rebekah Goldin, Dalida Hodzic and Mallory Smith. A large group of sophomores and freshmen round out the roster.
In addition to depth, Klosterman noted a strength of the team is good camaraderie.
"The nicest thing so far about this season, especially with so many new faces, is the team culture right now is great," Klosterman said. "Everyone is happy and willing to work hard. And everyone wants to contribute. I don't have to worry about our kids not giving their best effort. The kids want to earn their spot."
The Cardinals are now off until they host a meet on Dec. 21 with Carl Junction, Kickapoo and Nixa.
Also of note, Webb City is hosting the Central Ozark Conference Championships on Jan. 24.
"This is the first year it's an officially a league meet and that a COC champion will be officially be crowned, so it's going to be exciting," Klosterman said.
Klosterman noted a meet in Columbia on Jan. 4-5 is also on the team's radar.
Overall, Klosterman said there's a lot to like about his squad.
"I'm excited that the good attitudes are leading to better work in practice," Klosterman said. "With our Christmas training, I'm looking forward to seeing who steps up and does the work that makes them better by the time we go to Mizzou. But we've still got to get into the shape that will matter at the state level and not just the dual meet level."