by Mike Stirling
Tri-Valley swimmers are preparing to hit the water once again as they get ready for what promises to be an exciting aquatic season for the Scotties.
Coach Christi Holmes, in her third year as the head swim coach, was on hand to welcome a class of 17 new swimmers who join ranks with 16 returning members of last years squad.
Leading the way this season for the boys will be Seniors Eric Allen, Chad Bell, Mikal Blackstone, Keegan Bumpus, Ben Jacoby and Will Kline, all of whom lettered their last three years. They are joined by Seniors Bruno Ascariz (an exchange student from Brazil), as well as Senior newcomers Sean Lacy and Jacob Merry who joined the club this fall.
Filling out the boy’s roster are returning letterman Brady Jacobs-Bell (a Sophomore), and Junior newcomer Tracy Beale plus Freshman Blaine Cox, Nathan Sauerbrey, Carter Cornett, Mason McDaniel and Cyrus Dittmar.
For the Lady Dawgs, last years standouts include Juniors Mariah Clark, Cameron Frew, Kayley Harper, Caroline Holmes, Starley Jacobs, Marissa Sees as well as Sophomores Larissa Lynch, Emma Robinson and Clare Waggle. New to the team are Freshmen Katya Liber, Seryna Mann, Allie Norman, plus Sophomore Macey Felumlee. Juniors Rhiannon Shaw and Laine Welker and Seniors Eve Davis and Caitlynn Wriston are also new to the squad.
Coach Holmes, team manager Tina Rozsa, and assistant Susan Bowen are very optimistic as they contemplate the possibilities for this season. Tri-Valley swimmers will be defending their league title from the 2017-18 season and will be trying to advance some Scotty athletes beyond the SEOSL level. Since it’s inception, Tri-Valley has been a power in aquatics here in southeast Ohio and promises to continue that tradition.