With only two of the 18 total Park Hill boy swimmers being seniors this season, the Trojans will look to sophomore Jack Stanley this fall.
Stanley is a returning all-state honorable mention in both the individual medley and backstroke, while also being the lead leg of the ninth place 200-yard medley relay team. Park Hill is expecting big things out of Stanley and junior Raphael Realina.
“Jack is our most well-rounded swimmer and can do the most things for us,” Park Hill head boys’ swim coach Karl Haley said. “They’re both club swimmers and have swam all year-round, so they’ve improved a lot and we’re going to rely on them heavy for some events and as the seasons goes on those younger guys are going to have to fill in those roles and figure out their spots on their team.”
The Trojans will only have one diver this fall, Eli Osborne. He was a letterman swimmer last year and will be essential in 2022.
“Eli’s going to cut time with swimming and diving for us. Diving at some meets is like three points, so if we can get some points there, it makes things more competitive for us; he could be a state qualifier in diving as well, but we’ll see,” Haley said.
Park Hill has made it to state multiple times in the last decade with its best finishes being in 2014 and 2015 when the Trojans earned second and fourth places. Coach Karl told the Platte County Citizen what Park Hill needs to do to get back to that level.
“State swimming has kind of turned into a club meet for those swimmers who have swam year-round, so if we want to make it back there as a team like we did in 2014 and 2015, then we are going to have the kids in the weight room and get them swimming all year round. Sometimes going to state is an experience for them and we want to get to a point where they go down there and compete, get all-state and be back in the running for a trophy like we did a few years ago. The kids that have swam for awhile have that advantage,” Haley said.