Veteran head coach Jean Dowd will have eight swimmers on her roster when Perry opens their season Thursday against Algona at the McCreary Community Building pool.
While the Jayettes will face opponents with considerably more racers to choose from, few squads will have an octet so capable of scoring points.
Dowd noted that in most outings the sheer numbers will work against Perry, as numerous entries in each of the 11 events will slowly accumulate as the meet progresses. That does, not, however, mean Perry will be unable to hold their own.
“I think we have some real potential,” Dowd, who will again be assisted by Hillary Mahler, said. “Having eight will help with our relays, of course, but we also have two girls who can swim the 100 (butter)fly for us, and that will give us some flexibility in most meets.”
Two Panorama girls return for another season, with Amanda Holwegner and Gracie Phillips both veterans to the program. Holwegner is the lone senior on the team, while Phillips is a junior.
Perry will benefit from the return of junior Jaylene Karolus, who, as in past seasons, will be competing in cross country as well. She is a two-time state meet qualifier as a harrier.
Rhylan Agan is the sole sophomore on the squad, with four talented freshmen — whose arrival has been long awaited considering their successes on the summer swim team — also ready to dive in.
Sophia McDevitt, Zoe Hibbert, Jenna Nelson, and Emily Dowd join the team and will all play critical roles from the outset.
Provided COVID-19 does not interfere, Perry will host six meets. The five regular season road meets include two visits to Indianola, one to Newton, one to Carroll and one a long drive to Spencer, who traveled to Perry last season.
