BonnerSprings.com

As the first meet of the year approaches for the Bonner Springs boys swim team the Braves still have a lot of questions that have yet to be answered.

They play host to five other schools at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the Bonner YMCA and hope to get off to a good start in the 2008-09 season.

Second-year coach Lynn LaNoue, like any other coach, faces some specific challenges preparing the squad for the first competition of the season.

“We really don’t know our times yet,” LaNoue said. “Some teams run time trials in practice to determine their top swimmers, but doing that in practice can’t substitute for competition in an actual meet. I wait until after the first meet to set the swimmers. Until then I just have to use judgment calls.”

Those judgment calls will be difficult this year. The Braves have had a record turnout in terms of number of swimmers as 26 athletes are on the roster. LaNoue is expecting that he will have to split up the team because only a certain number of swimmers can compete in each meet.

“We had an optional practice the Wednesday before (Thanksgiving) break,” LaNoue said. “Only 10 of my guys showed up. I know it was optional, but I was hoping for a few more. Some had family obligations, and I understand that. I have to realize that they are just teenagers, they have lives too.”

It is unclear if there will be an advantage for the Braves by hosting the first meet of the year.

“The guys aren’t sure what they can do yet so they fear being [disappointed],” LaNoue said. “That anxiety level increases at home because there will be more people there that you know. It will come down to each individual swimmer.”

LaNoue said coupling all of those challenges with the responsibility of managing the meet would make it one of the most difficult ones of the year.

BSHS is not the only school in the meet with question marks. Washington High School has had pool problems this season so far. The swimmers were only able to get in the pool for the first time on Monday. Turner, despite having a very accomplished coach and a good facility, is only in its second year of having a swimming team. Blue Valley has a solid team as well but will face the challenge of swimming in a yard pool. They have one of the only meter pools in the Kansas City metro area. This can cause problems, especially on turns.

Osawatomie and Olathe Northwest will be the favorites to win the meet.

Comments