EHS swim team ready to dive into the season

The Enterprise High School swim team is getting set for the 2020 season to begin with a team consisting of a blend of veteran and upstart swimmers.

EHS completed its summer conditioning program on July 25 and held official tryouts on July 27. The 2020 varsity lineup will include Huk Blunt, Leela Boozer, Jolee Fernandez, Ellie Gayford, Ellie Flaig, Zack Gayford, AJ Hallbert, Mya Hill, Hannah Hokanson, Abry Jacoby, Kloei Kiefer and Hais Kokoszka.

“We have a great group of swimmers this year comprised of representatives from all grades, seventh through 12th,” Enterprise swim coach Sarah Thorn said. “Some are returning athletes with several years of experience, while others are brand new to the sport, but already the spirit of teamwork and camaraderie is growing.

“Every swimmer on our team has shown a willingness to work had and to encourage each other to put forth their best effort. I’m so proud of the progress they’ve already shown and am looking forward to amazing results.”

The EHS swim team will also see some changes this year as they move training over to the Enterprise YMCA from Fort Rucker.

“We are very excited to have the opportunity this season to train in the newly renovated YMCA pool in Enterprise. Until the offer of his partnership came from (YMCA Director) Mr. Richard Pipkin, we weren’t sure if we would have a season this year at all,” Thorn said. “Our usual facility is provided by the MWR at Fort Rucker, which continues to be unavailable due to the COVID-19 situation. We are grateful to be working with the Enterprise YMCA to build both the EHS Swim Team and the Y’s own aquatics programs and hope that this will be the start of an ongoing cooperation to benefit both organizations.”

Also, the EHS swim team is transitioning to a schedule that is almost exclusively made up of Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) meets. In years past, the EHS swim team competed mostly in USA Swim meets as a part of the Wiregrass Aquatics Club (WAC) until the AHSAA Sectionals.

“While we still exist as a branch of WAC, we are growing into a more independent group during the high school competitive season, which moves us more into being recognized as – and integrated into – the EHS athletics program for the entire season,” Thorn said. “It’s a great feeling to be making that connection and building our presence at EHS and our participation in the athletics program.

“We are looking forward to an exciting and successful season with all the extras that come along with being and EHS team. We are planning several fundraising, community service an social events to grow our program as well as reach out to show appreciation and gain recognition in our community.”

The EHS swim team will host a swim-a-thon on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 7 a.m. until noon. The money raised will go towards new uniforms and anything beyond that will go towards team travel expenses for competitions.