Interest is high in the inaugural season for Archbishop Murphy’s boys swim team.
Thirty-three individuals are out for the Wildcats, a number that coach Mike McCloskey is very pleased to have.
Like the girls team, the boys have to get up early for 6 a.m. practices at the West Coast Aquatics Center in Mill Creek since Archbishop Murphy does not have a pool of its own.
Most of the roster is new to swimming except for junior Arden Hunter and freshman Philip Walczak. Hunter swam for Burlington-Edison last season and also is a member of the Bellingham Bay club team.
His best events appear to be the 100 backstroke and the 100 freestyle.
“That could evolve as the season goes on,” McCloskey said.
Walczak, who swims for the West Coast Aquatics team, specializes in the 200 and 500 freestyles.
“The rest are pretty much beginners,” McCloskey said. “They’re coming around. I’m amazed how they’ve progressed.”
McCloskey has emphasized to his swimmers that they need to keep showing up for the workouts and that they will start to show improvements incrementally.
“After six weeks of training you’ll feel you can race,” McCloskey tells them.
Some of the newcomers have never even been off a block before, he added.
“They have a good attitude,” McCloskey said.
The Wildcats have a wide variety of athletes, from football, cross country/track and even a few golfers.
“It’s quite a collection of kids all coming from different backgrounds,” McCloskey said.
Two individuals to keep an eye on include juniors Nick Pursley and Patrick Throckmorton.
While the two might not have the experience and swimming background of Hunter and Walczak, they have shown potential, according to McCloskey.
“Our goal is to get a relay to state,” McCloskey said. “These guys are working hard.”
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