Julie Calzonetti
Sugar Beet staff reporter
This swim season was nothing short of satisfaction for the Buffs men’s swim team. Bringing home the WAC title and qualifying several swimmers for the state championship swim meet were just a few of the victories this season. After the WAC defeat, celebration consisted of lots of cheering, triumphant splashes, and pushing coaches in the water as well.
“Overall we are definitely proud of what we accomplished this season, everyone improved in something and we all peaked at the right time. It wasn’t easy but all of our hard work really payed off,” Senior swimmer, Aaron Schafer said.
Schafer finished with a first-place finish in the 100 Breaststroke and two different relay races along with a second-place finish in the 100 freestyle to make a generous contribution to the WAC championship. The Buffs had 25 swimmers participating and there was a top four finisher in all of the events of the meet from a Garden City swimmer. This was a very big stepping stone for the boys, winning WAC after only just two seasons of having a program made the championship that much sweeter.
The following week, the Buffs were off to state, sending five swimmers to compete in Topeka, Kan.
Will Keller, Nathanial Hubbard, Aaron Schafer, Jacob Partin and Connor Cupp all went to swim the 200 Medly Relay, 200 Free relay, 4×100 Free Relay, and Connor Cupp was the only swimmer to compete in an individual event- the 100 Breast stroke.
None of the Buffs brought home any hardware from the state meet but had a very good learning experience for the future.
“If was a really cool experience to get to state. We got to see swimmers perform at a whole new level,” Sophomore swimmer, Connor Cupp said.
The swimmers weren’t the only ones who deserved recognition, head coach Brian Watkins was named WAC coach of the year.
“I wasn’t surprised to see Watkins win WAC coach of the year. He was the only one to deserve it. It’s pretty incredible to win WAC on your second year as a program. No coach could have been able to do it except for him,” Cupp said.
The boys winter swim season has come to a close just in time for the girls spring season to begin with their first practice on Monday, Feb. 26.
Julie Calzonetti is a public service sophomore, you can contact her @calzonettij1@student.gckschools.com.
Garden City High School 