SHORELINE — Shorecrest boys swimming coach Jay Stringfellow has plenty of unknowns floating into the 2002-03 season.
First, in Shorecrest’s first season since dropping to the 3A ranks, Stringfellow must size up a slew of new postseason competitors. He said Western Conference 4A South Division foes Kamiak and Shorewood will be tough but other teams are unfamiliar.
In addition, the Scots graduated seven seniors — all of whom have been replaced by freshmen. Stringfellow hopes for big contributions from his youngest swimmers.
And finally, with only 15 swimmers on his roster, Stringfellow is concerned about depth. Still, he hopes for a solid season.
“Goal number one is to win all the 3A meets,” he said. “And it would be nice to come out with an over .500 (win-loss) record.”
Last year the Scots were right at .500, splitting their eight league meets. With so many new swimmers, Stringfellow said it’s difficult to predict how this year’s team will perform.
“(Swimming) being an individual sport, you’re trying to get each kid to improve as much as possible. I expect (the team) to work hard and improve,” he said.
“As long as I get good improvement out of all the kids, this will be a successful season.”
Stringfellow will look to three seniors — Dwight Thompson, Daniel Tseng and Dana Hench — to lead the freshmen.
“The difference between a senior and a freshman is quite a bit,” he said. “(Thompson, Tseng and Hench) are strong across the board. They can swim everything depending on what my needs are.”
Thompson, who finished 10th at state last year in the 500-yard freestyle, has set some high individual goals.
“I’m looking to make All-American consideration and to qualify for top five in the state in the 500,” he said.
To achieve the first goal, Thompson said he would need to cut six seconds from his best 500 freestyle time of 4:47.
“I’ve decided to go for it this year,” he said. “As I’ve gotten closer, (the time) has become a goal I want to reach.”
Team goals are harder to define, but Thompson said Shorecrest’s youth movement will pay off in a few years.
“I think it’s going to be tough this year because we have a small team, but with all the young swimmers there is a lot of optimism for the future.”
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