PHS swimmers chasing 10th straight conference title

Relying on strong relay teams on their way to a tenth place finish at the state swim meet last season, the Park Hill South girls swim team looks to this year with many of the same swimmers returning, having only lost two seniors to graduation.

Returning are three strong seniors with Miranda Henderson, Rachael Norfleet, and Mariah Bryant along with sophomores Shannon Brouk and Olivia McLain, the five of which will form the main components of what is shaping up to be another strong group of relay competitors. Adding to the mix will be freshman Helen Yeader, a strong swimmer in the breast stroke and butterfly.

Coach Steve Busenhart hopes some of the improvements his swimmers make in individual events will propel them to a higher finish at state, where before they had finished just outside the top eight which rewards teams with higher point totals. Last year’s meet saw Rachael Norfleet finish ninth and Olivia McLain finish 14th in the 100 meter breast stroke along with Mariah Bryant’s 16th place finish in the 50 yard freestyle. Stronger performances in those events will likely have the added benefit of stronger relays, something Busenhart says is a result of flexibility and depth.

“We have a very strong team because we have depth that is consistent so we can move swimmers around and that benefits us in other competitions,” Busenhart said.

The Panthers travel to St. Louis to participate in the Flyer Invitational in December, an event they placed first in last year, their first appearance in the event.

“Since that is a period where we are training the hardest, we probably won’t hit our main stride until the first part of the new year,” Busenhart said.

While a positive early season result will be welcoming, Park Hill South will only use it as an early test on their way towards another commonplace conference championship and opportunity for a top five finish at state.