Returning nearly a dozen upperclassmen from last year, the Platte County girls’ swimming team will bring experience to the water this winter.
Along with the 11 juniors and seniors, sophomores Madeleine Stone and Ireland Shank are coming back after impressive freshman campaigns. Lauren Beatty, Blair Bolling, Ella Chiddix, Drew DeLay, Charlotte Hammond, Madeline Judy and Sam Teufel are set to fill out the senior class.
“The biggest goal is to win the conference again – I believe we have won it the last six years in a row – but this year we’re stepping up within the Suburban Conference to the White Division,” Platte County girls’ swimming coach Benjamin Rackers said. “Even though the conference has stepped up in size, our goal is still to win the conference meet.”
DeLay is one of the state qualifiers returning as she finished in 15th place in the 100-yard breaststroke last year. Stone swam in the 100-yard backstroke and 200-yard individual medley and Shank competed in the 100-yard butterfly last winter.
“Brooklynn (Hays), Drew (DeLay) and Ireland (Shank) are all swimmers that I think will be all-state swimmers this year. We will have to see as the year goes on about which individual events they swim, but no matter what they swim at state, I believe they will be All-State,” Rackers said.
Hays is looking to be the Lady Pirates’ top swimmer, after taking 12th place in the 50-yard freestyle and 11th place in the 100-yard breaststroke at state last year.
Sophomore Cassidy Hostikka and junior Alyson Stone both had strong finishes last season. Ashley Cruce is a freshman that is showing some real promise early and looking to contribute for Platte County.