The Fremont High School girl’s swim team makes a splash as they dive into a new season filled with senior talent.
FHS swim coach David Struble continues to add to his coaching experience as the girl’s team leader.
“This is my 8th year coaching high school swimming total,” Struble said. “Over 15 years of coaching at the recreational and club level year-round.”
Struble has more than just one goal in mind for the girl’s swim team during the 2021-2022 season.
“My goal for the girl’s team is to have one of the best season Win-Loss records in team history,” Struble said. “If we win over 5 of our dual meet schedule will be a great season. I also want the team to have fun is my main goal.”
This year’s team has a special mix of talent, both with the upperclassmen as well as the underclassmen.
“The girl’s team returned a lot of depth on the team,” Struble said. “We have a lot of leadership from our senior class that trickles down to the rest of the team. So far the season is going well, the swimmers are getting in shape, and meets will begin soon. We have a very strong freshman and sophomore class that has a lot of swim meet experience, we will have a lot of depth for relays this season on the girl’s team.”
A lot of the talent that exists on the girl’s team is coming from some of last year’s returning swimmers.
“Grace Blick, Karsen Jesse, and Lucy Dillon are all returning HAC and State qualifiers/scorers,” Struble said. “Between the three of them, they are a fun group of seniors that take pride in the FHS Swimming traditions, and do a good job leading the underclassmen every practice and at meets. With a variety of great leadership skills between the three, they will help create a positive team culture that could spread for many years to come.”
For Struble, coaching swim goes beyond just the sport itself. It also helps develop life skills outside of the pool.
“I love coaching swimming because you have to earn your success,” Struble said. “The more you focus each practice, work hard, try and get better every day you will achieve your goals or get very close. You have to be organized, focus, and motivated to put in a lot of hours of practice each week swimming demands. It teaches life skills, team skills, and motivation that the swimmers will use the rest of their lives.”
FHS swim coach Shea Ahrens also sees the girls as more than just a sports team. There is a culture developing that she is focused on.
“Team culture is a huge focus of ours this year,” Ahrens said. “There are common traits among great teams and we’re trying to build those within our own. Our focus for this year is unity and selflessness. We started off this season with our first-ever Black vs. Gold competition (you can see highlights on Instagram @fhs__swimming) that I believe went a long way toward starting out the season right and building these traits within our team.”
Struble is also always looking for ways that the swimmers can improve.
“Each swimmer always needs to keep improving their technique in all areas of the sport,” Struble said. “Starts off the blocks, flip turns, and the technique of all four strokes. You are striving to have the most perfect race that you can.”
