The Mail-Journal, Volume 21, Number 44, Milford, Kosciusko County, 14 November 1984 — Page 34

Caldwell prepares team for sectional

By MARK WEINSTEIN Sports Writer In high school sports, experience and strength are two of the most important ingredients for a successful season. If that is the case, Wawasee’s boys swim (earn could be in trouble this year. Coach Tim Caldwell’s Warriors are very young, as is evident with just four seniors on the squad. Nevertheless, eight returning lettermen are back and that offers hope for winning season. “We are a very young team,” confirmed Caldwell. “We only have 19 years of swimming experience among our team and that boils down to less than one year experience per swimmer. That’s not much at all.” Although the Warriors appear to be on the short end in experience, what experience they do have is quality. Rob Jewson, Gary Miller, Jon Shoemaker, Steve Rozow and Brett Atwood return to form a solid nucleus to the team With the fact of having such a young team' Caldwell has already started preparing the team towards the sectional meet in February In contrast to a veteran group of swimmers. Caldwell would normally put a greater emphasis on the regular season and Northern Lakes Conference title. In doing so. the swim skipper feels that experience is one of the prime factors in success. That, along with hard work will pay off for the Warriors at the end. “There are a lot of things that I can’t do because of our youth.” said Caldwell. “I can’t expect to win an event with a freshman right now. But later in the season it could be a lot closer. ” Although much of the negative talk is concentrated around the team’s youth, perhaps Wawasee’s greatest strength comes in the numbers game. That is not a problem at all for Caldwell. With a variety of swimmers. Caldwell feels that he has nearly every swimming event covered. Perhaps his best area comes in the distance events. Jewson. Atwood and Steve Schmahl are expected to carry much of the distance load for

VyLactes Laboratories A Division Os Pacific Molasses Co. Bremen — Syracuse • Salad Bar • Family Dining • Daily Specials SRI3S 457-5511 Syracuse A.R.S. Refrigeration Service Residential • Commercial < Service On Most Makes Refrigerator & Freezer & Air Condition M4syracM« |457-4177| Don Ritter, Owner

UK m* k ~ n ,w Mt x Hw.i- K-!■ *- a A ~m Ja

WAWASEE SWIMMERS — The Wawasee swimmers are hoping for a fine season under the guidance of coaches Tim Caldwell and Rex Rymers. Pictured in front are Steve Rozow, Steve Schmahl, Gary Miller, Rob Jewson. Brent Atwood and Nils Haugland. In the second row are

Wawasee. In return, their productivity could heavily influence the outcome of the season. "We have a good distance crew,” said. Caldwell. “They are not outstanding, but are solid.” Along with the impressive list of long-range swimmers, Caldwell also has a quality group of divers to count on. Gary Miller and Anthony Beer should be two of the top performers in the Northern Lakes Conference, as well as in the sectional meet. As a matter of fact, Caldwell will not be surprised if his two performers finish in the

top two slots at sectional. “If they (Miller and Beer) get their heads on straight, work real hard, we could one-two in sectional diving,” declared Caldwell. “They have the ability to do it, but it depends on if they really want to do it.” Along with the two top divers, Caldwell is expecting much from Rozow and Darrin Keim. Rozow should win several individual medley events this season as well as place high in some sprint races. Keim on the other hand has improved his time in the backstroke and should be a strong contender in each race. To go with that event, he should also add some excitement in the individual medley event. After that, everyone else’s times can be tossed up in the air because Caldwell does not know what type of swimmers he has. A Norwegian foreign exchange student. Nils Haugland, will be counted on by Caldwell to add depth to the ranks. In addition, sophomore Steve Ensinger and freshman Brad Smith could sur-

- AUTO 457-4495 CENTER 24 HOUR TOWING • Sun Electronic Center Tune-ups • Exhaust Systems •Brakes s <H IP-j •Lubrication • Batteries • Major Overhauls 4 Repairs WM HOtThWtKTB i ' ‘ \

diving coach Rex Rymers, Dallas McDiffit, Ron Thomas, Steve Ensinger, Darrin Keim, Anthony Beer and Chris Maze. In the third row are Lance Ough, Drew Parr. Danny Hurd, David Ridings. Chris Guy, Mark Rich, Todd Smith, Brian Hurd and Brett Anderson. (Mail-Journal Photo)

prise many people as the season progresses. “This will be a very exciting year,” said Caldwell. “I do not know what is going to happen, but I know that kids want to be winners and they will work hard to acheive thaf status.” And that is exactly what they have done. For the past several weeks, the swimmers have survived two-a-day practice sessions. With the girls’ season just completed, the boys had to practice early in the morning because the girls had the pool in the evening. When the girls practiced, the boys went outside and ran and lifted weights. “It hasn’t been easy, but you have to give the guys a lot of credit for putting up with this schedule,” said Caldwell. “I haven't heard anyone complaining, and they are working very hard.” Perhaps one reason why Caldwell has not heard any complaining is that he is not around

for practices that much. Because he guides the girls team this year, much of his coaching effort has been directed toward the girls. “Most of my effort has been with the girls, but Coach Rymers has done a fantastic job with the guys,” praised Caldwell of his assistant. “It is awful nice to know that you have someone that can take over when you are not there. Rymers has been that type of person.” But for now, the Warriors are anxiously awaiting the start of the season. They kick-off the campaign Thursday, Nov. 15, at Huntington North. “We are getting ready for the season,” said Caldwell. “It will be tough, but we have high ambitions for the finish.” One of the goals Caldwell sees as a legitimate goal is a secondplace finish in the tough Northern Lakes Conference. After that, who knows what will happen.