Swimmers start preparations in Upton pool

Sonja Karp
NLJ Sports Reporter
 
Despite facing some adversity due to being denied access to the pool in the Kozisek Aquatic Center, head coach Doug Scribner’s Lady Dogies are poised to dive into their 2021 season. 
Unfortunately, the pool at Newcastle High School is undergoing repairs at this time, so the squad started out the season Aug. 16 traveling to Upton to practice in their outdoor pool. 
“We are traveling to Upton right now, at least as long as the weather is good,” Scribner explained. “We had contracted with Gillette, but Upton offered to leave the water in their pool for us, so that has been great and we really appreciate that.”
Scribner is hoping that within the next couple of weeks, Kozisek will be in shape to be able to practice at home.
Returning to the Lady Dogie squad this season are juniors Lydia Anderson and Raeleigh Shipp, sophomores Rebekah Olson, Brooklyn Schmitz, Lilly Ralls and Julie Daigh, and new to the team are freshmen Hailee Beastrom and Ruth Rose.
None of the returning athletes qualified for the state meet in 2020, however Shipp was within just one second of making it in the 100 Free. Anderson also was close while Olson showed vast improvement throughout the course of the season. 
“Lydia and Raeleigh looked really good on the first day last week,” Scribner nodded. “Rebekah and Brooklyn also looked pretty good. Rebekah is really strong and is working on smoothing out her technique, which continues to improve, so she is looking like a stronger swimmer than when she finished up the season last year.”
Anderson and Shipp are returning, showing strength in the freestyle while Anderson also does well in the backstroke. Olson shows potential in several strokes, however Scribner noted that her favorites are the butterfly and freestyle, while Schmitz is looking to make the breaststroke her go-to stroke.
“Lydia is still not all that confident in the backstroke but I’m trying to encourage her to step into that a little more,” Scribner explained. “Brooklyn has good technique in the breaststroke and is working on improving in that event.”
Ralls is also a strong swimmer who simply requires some work on technique.
“I expect Lilly to make some pretty big improvements as her technique gets into place,” Scribner predicted. “Her dad was a swimmer and she is pretty excited, so that will be fun.”
The incoming freshmen are coming to the squad with vastly different experience in the pool. Rose is completely new to swimming while Beastrom is a seasoned club swimmer.
“Ruth wants to try it out so we are working on getting her into the swing of things, and she is focusing right now on freestyle and breaststroke,” Scribner stated. “Hailee, with backstroke and freestyle as her forte, is coming in pretty strong as a freshman so I expect her to qualify.”

Scribner also noted that he expects Anderson and Shipp to hit qualifying marks during the season. 
It’s also looking as if the team should be able to man all three relays as they have the numbers, as well as the stroke differentiation, to be able to be competitive in both freestyle relays as well as the medley relay.
“I expect the girls to do well this season,” Scribner predicted. “They have been working hard and should show improvement and be really competitive this year. We have some strong leaders who can and will instill that competitive attitude to the rest of the team.”
The ladies are back to normal with their regular schedule this season, and will dive into things this Friday and Saturday, Aug. 27 and 28 as they head to Lander for a relay meet on Friday where each event consists of a relay, and a pentathlon meet on Saturday where all swimmers compete in five different events.
“We have a pretty good schedule this year,” Scribner said. “Everyone wants to get back to the bigger meets and I think that is also good for the girls to get that experience.”