ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond Senior High School boys and girls swimming teams are looking to make a splash in the pool this winter.
In its second season, the Richmond swim team is coached by Mike Way, and the Raider and Lady Raider swimmers will open the 2018 season Wednesday, Nov. 29, at St. Andrews University in Laurinburg. A season ago, the Sandhills Athletic Conference introduced the sport to its winter schedule, and both teams had successful inaugural seasons.
But this time around, with a year of experience under their belts, Way and company hope to remain competitive in the conference standings all season.
“There are fewer unknowns this year,” Way said. “Last year, we were winging it and learning on the fly. This year we at least know what to expect. We are much younger than last year — we have a few that swam last year but not many.
“We were fortunate last year to have a great group of athletes that we tried to translate their athletic ability to the pool,” he continued. “This year will be a little different — we are focusing more on technique this time to make us competitive.”
During the 2017-18 swim season, Way’s teams were comprised mostly of athletes who made other sports their primary activities. While that may still be the case this season, he’ll be without several of his top swimmers from a year ago, but the current squads look promising.
For the boys, former swimmers Jimmy Cooley and Shane Summey have graduated, opening the door for Dakota Locklear to lead this year’s team. Also graduating for the girls were Owen Bowers, Altman Griffin and Mackenzie Webb, and Way will turn to his daughter Greyson Way, as well as returners Natalie Davis and Jenna Kubiak to guide the Lady Raiders.
“The boys team is basically a brand new team,” Way commented. “Dakota Locklear is the only returner from last year. We lost most of them to graduation and then right before the season started, Brice Billingsley decided not to swim so he could focus on school, so that was certainly a setback.
“We have a little more experience on the girls side, but not much,” he added. “Natalie Davis, Greyson Way and Jenna Kubiak will be leaned on heavily. We also have a few ninth graders that we are excited about.”
Some of the new faces to the program this year are Nolan Allen, Hailey Wheeler, Kassie Smith and Kelsey Murray.
Senior Natalie Davis works on her backstroke time during practice this preseason.
Richmond’s swimmers have been practicing at FirstHealth in Rockingham to prepare for the season, working on a rigorous training regimen in preparation for the season. Working on conditioning is key, Way noted, as endurance in the water is essential in his teams’ success during its second season. Assisting Way again is Andy Shuler, who is a physical education teacher and assistant football coach at Richmond.
With the season set to begin Wednesday at St. Andrews University, where all SAC meets will take place, Way says that though he expects both of his teams to compete, but he also anticipates there to be tough competition from several other schools in the conference.
Pinecrest and Jack Britt high schools dominated the competition last season, as both schools had experienced swimmers and programs. Richmond was among the top of the “new” schools in the conference, consistently battling for a third-place finish, and Way has made that the expectation again this year.
“As young as we are, I look at this year as a chance to gain some experience,” Way explained. “With that being said, we will always try to compete and we will not be satisfied with just gaining experience.
“Pinecrest and Jack Britt will be tough, but we will be competing with Scotland and Lumberton (high schools) on a weekly basis,” he concluded.
Richmond’s swimmers will compete against the seven other SAC schools in a variety of events which consist of the 50-meter freestyle, the 100-meter backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and freestyle, the 200-meter freestyle, freestyle relay, individual medley and medley relay, and conclude with the 400-meter freestyle and freestyle relay.
Way will set his weekly lineups based on individual performances in practice, as Richmond will compete in four regular season meets and the SAC championship ahead of regionals and states.
Richmond will make its season debut in the pool Wednesday night at O’Herron Pool in the PE Building on the campus of St. Andrews. The meet kicks off at 6:15 p.m.
