Sharks dive into summer

By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
With the turn of the calendar to June, the local swim club, the Shelbyville Sharks are set and ready to dive into the summer schedule.
Last week, the team held its final tune up mock meet before the schedule begins on Tuesday.
So far this season, swimmer participation has been solid and the team is progressing well.
“The participation has been great,” Sharks coach Lauren Ball said.
“We have many new swimmers this summer, and a wide variety of ages! I’d say most of them are elementary-middle school aged.”
Swimmers range in age from eight and younger all the way through 18, and participate in freestyle, butterfly, breast stroke, backstroke, individual medley and relay races.
While team sizes vary from year-to-year, the coordination of 30-plus swimmers couldn’t be done without the aid of older swimmers, in addition to the coaches and parent volunteer staff.
“Ally Maybee is a graduating senior and she has been a strong leader. She leads our Jr. Sharks group. Dijana Geary is a junior (going into senior year) who is a very hard worker and sets a great example for having a strong work ethic,” Ball said.
While the leadership of the older swimmers is key, the younger swimmers have adapted to the competition atmosphere and are progressing well.
“The newer swimmers have really inspired me,” Ball said.
“Swimming is a hard sport and they have jumped right in and are keeping up with some of their more experienced teammates. I’m impressed with their willingness to come, try something new, and attack every practice.”
Unlike team sports, the individualized style of swimming allows each individual swimmer to attack personal goals, and for Ball and the Sharks’ staff, that’s the biggest objective of the summer.
“This summer, I really want my swimmers to focus on improving their individual times. Win or lose, I want each swimmer attacking every race. I also want them to have fun while doing it,” she said.
“My hope is that each swimmer will develop a lifelong love for this sport. Whether competitive swimming is something they do for one season or for a lifetime, I hope it’s a sport they cherish and always have fond memories of.”
The Sharks’ schedule is set with seven dual-meets, before the championship meet, which will be held in Sewanee later this summer.