Coach says team is best ever

When the M-P swim and dive team hosted a season-opening jamboree Sept. 4, the results confirmed what coach Jaci Legore Hodgins had suspected about her team: They should have a good season ahead of them.
First I want to say this is the best jamboree we have ever had, because in the 10 years Ive been the coach, the JV through the varsity swam better than any other team Ive seen, Legore Hodgins said. Theyre a great group that surpasses the coachability of groups weve seen in the past.
The Tomahawks won five of the 12 events and many girls in the relays set personal best times against swim teams from around Wesco North.
This Tomahawk swim team combines strong leadership in the upperclassman ranks with young talent in the freshman class. The team is led by captains Michaela Caldwell, Alicia Coraguilo and Kami Girard, but several freshmen are making themselves known early on.
Theres some really healthy competition going on between the freshmen and the seniors, but its really exciting to see them getting better, Legore Hodgins said.
Among those new faces, the coach named freshmen Amy Renslo and Jewel Levalley, who both swim the 400 medley, and Sarah Hustad, who swims the 150 breaststroke.
But plenty of credit for the teams success thus far goes to the returning members of the swim squad.
I think our older kids are a year older and just a year wiser, Legore Hodgins said. Its that emotional maturity that makes coming back so much fun. You get to see this personal growth in these kids, and thats why its fun to have them for four years.
Also contributing to the teams positive prospectus is several M-P swimmers are already conditioned from a summer swimming for the local Mighty Marlins swim club. Every member of the teams 400-medley and 800-freestyle relays swam for the Marlins, and that work ethic has paid dividends for several swimmers.
Sophomore Megan Shoemaker and junior Melinda Blomberg, who swam legs of the 800 relay, particularly benefited.
Megan and Melinda are our most improved swimmers so far, Legore Hodgins said.
After a disappointing season in 2006 during which the team finished 2-5 in conference competition, Legore Hodgins is hopeful.
I think every meet will be a big meet. Even if we dont win them all, we can improve individually, she said.