For the first time in many seasons, the Perry swim team will host five meets, and veteran head coach Jean Dowd said she was excited by the possibilities.
“There is always a little nervousness about competing in front of your friends and a home crowd, but, at the same time, there is great level of comfort in being in familiar surroundings,” she explained. “I expect us to take advantage of not having to be the team getting off a bus and turn in some great times this year.”
Senior Kimberly Valdez is out for the first time and is the only unknown quantity, as five swimmers return from last year. Returning to the lineup is senior Vivian Gonzalez, who filled key spots as a sophomore before missing all of last season with an injury.
Rounding the roster to 10 are a trio of freshmen: Abby Herman and Panorama’s Skekynah Haworth and Amanda Holwenger, competing for Perry as part of a new sharing arrangement between the two schools. Panorama swimmers formerly traveled to Carroll.
While Haworth and Holwenger swam with Guthrie County in the summer IWSC schedule, all Perry students save Valdez competed for the Perry Summer Swim Team. With Valdez the exception, the nine other swimmers all competed for PAWS during the winter season.
“I have a real good idea of who can do what, and who can help us in different places,” Dowd said. “One thing that will be different is that we should be able to put all the relays together this year.”
Gonzalez will focus on the 100 backstroke, and just having her back in the pool has Dowd smiling.
“It was tough on her to have to sit out last year, but she was there the whole time, being very vocal, very supportive,” the coach said. “I know she is thrilled to be able to come back and help the team in the water.”
Breanna Penenger is the other Jayette senior. Penenger shaved nearly 30 seconds off her time in the 500 free last season and finished with a best time less than two seconds over the six-minute mark, a long-time personal goal.
“I know she is very determined to go under six (minutes) and I am sure she will,” Dowd said. “Breanna is very versatile, and is going to score points in many events for us.”
Anna Ridnour is the lone junior. She is likely to be given 100 breaststroke and 200 Individual Medley duties, along with potential relay assignments.
“I can’t help but smile when I think about how far she has come as a swimmer,” Dowd said of Ridnour. “She is a fierce competitor and is amazing on the deck supporting her teammates.”
Sophomore Sarah Vaughn will swim in the 100 butterfly and could be given a slot in the 500 free as well.
“I can already see that Sarah is a lot more relaxed than she was last year,” Dowd said. “She is a strong girl and I look for her to knock plenty of time off in some of her races.”
Relay assignments could fall to just about anyone, Dowd said, with the schedule one of key factors involved.
“You have to look at when your next meet is, who it is you are in the pool against that night, where we might pick up some points — it isn’t just a matter of putting names down on a sheet,” the coach explained.
Avery Miner, Dowd said “Always has a smile and always competes with a lot of heart and soul.”
The sophomore will swim the 200 free put is also certain to be designated for relay duties because, as her coach noted, “she fits just about anywhere we might need her.”
Sophomore Dannah Karolus is a sprinter, and will dive in for both the 50 and 100 free and will also likely see relay duties.
“Dannah had a tough summer because she had to jump up from the 13-14 to 15-18 age group, and that first year is always difficult,” Dowd said. “But she never complained, worked hard, and knew it was going to make her better. I liked seeing her approach and expect a good season from her.”
The trio of freshmen are, of course, something of a mystery. Herman is an early choice for the 50 free and 100 back, with Holwenger in the 100 breaststroke while Haworth fills relay spots.
“It is a big jump once you start competing in varsity meets,” Dowd said. “They are not novices, but we will see how quickly they come along.”
Perry opens Thursday against Algona, then hosts Indianola August 29. Other home meets are September 26 against Newton and Oskaloosa and October 10 against Atlantic and Spencer, with Algona and Carroll to visit the MCB pool October 16. All home meets will begin at 6:30 p.m.
