Chelsea Strutton

Writer

Diving into the season, Marlow Public School’s new swim team competed in their second meet on the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 12 on the campus of the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) in Chickasha.

Participating alongside schools such as Putnam City, Bethany and Chickasha, the team was the smallest in numbers but large in their successes.

As a whole, the six team members received high placings and were recognized regarding their fast times and techniques.

Stepping up in order to better the students of Marlow High School and provide them with unforgettable experiences is Coach John Smith.

With coaching experience in slowpitch softball, football, basketball, golf and soccer, Smith is providing encouragement and teaching a life lesson or two as the team wades their way toward success.

Smith detailed the joy he receives from coaching the swim team at Marlow, a task that requires responsibility, discipline and patience.

“It’s an honor for me to be associated with these athletes,” said Smith. “I was their assistant principal several years ago, and now I get to take them to swim meets.”

Smith is not the only person new to the idea of engaging in a swim team.

Freshmen Sage Minyard and Luke Banks are both new to swimming competitively, practicing frequently in order to become more skilled and prepared for future events.

Both with promising futures ahead of them, Banks received fourth place in the 50 meter freestyle and fifth in the 100 meter freestyle, and Minyard ranked fifteenth in the fifty meter freestyle and sixth in the 100 meter freestyle.

With only a month and a half of involvement on the team, Banks emphasized his satisfaction concerning his second swim meet.

“I haven’t had much experience, so for a new guy, I’m feeling good about it,” expressed Banks.

The Nov. 12 meet was Minyard’s first encounter with participating in a swim meet, and with only a few weeks of practice under her belt, she came out successful in her attempt of placing alongside her teammates with much more experience.

Minyard described her thoughts in reference to the meet and why she decided to join the swim team, a decision that did not come easily due to it being recently developed.

“I feel good since it was my first meet,” said Minyard. “I joined because my friends were members of the swim team.”

However, not all members of the swim team are new to swimming competitively.

Freshmen Karsten Terrell and Gage DaVoult have years of practice behind them, participating alongside various teams located across the state of Oklahoma.

The pair were successful enough to take part in the Junior Olympics during the summer, a high ranking tournament that requires competing pupils to meet a variety of requirements before they can attend.

One of the necessary qualifications is placing first, second or third in a district competition in a race of under 400 meters in their age division.

In company with their four other teammates, the two share beliefs regarding their favorite aspect of being involved on the swim team.

Terrell stated that the best component of being involved on the swim team was his teammates and the family the team has become throughout the hours spent practicing and competing together.

With their friendship only continuing to grow stronger, DaVoult credits his interest in swimming to Terrell.

“I started swimming because I became friends with Karsten, and he swam,” explained DaVoult.

Alongside Terrell and DaVoult, senior Caleb Warren and freshman Morgan Warren are two siblings with a background in swimming.

The two share a passion for the water and are both triumphant in their attempts of bettering their abilities.

During the Nov. 12 meet, Morgan received first place in the 50 meter freestyle and second place in the 100 meter backstroke.

Morgan recalled the launch of her hobby in swimming, a craft she has adored ever since.

“I have been swimming for as long as I can remember,” explained Morgan. “I think I started in first grade.”

Similar to his younger sister, Caleb placed first in the 100 meter freestyle and third in the 200 freestyle.

With his past consisting of various swim meets, Caleb expressed why he finds so much delight in the sport.

“You get to meet a bunch of people,” stated Caleb. “It’s a fun physical activity unlike any other.”

With the six member team already creating a strong name for themselves, the Marlow Public Schools swim team are anticipated to grow and prosper, one backstroke at a time.