Winter Preview: Park Hill Girls Swimming

Coming off a 2011-2012 season where the Trojans overcame the odds to earn a share of the conference title with long-time champion Lee’s Summit West, they return this season with several members to build another competitor around. Madison Heydinger, a 200 and 500 freestyle state qualifier last year, returns with second place conference medal winners Lynn Huynh and Jasmine Jones to form the core of experience for this year’s team.

“We’ve looked good so far this year and have some fast swimmers who are familiar with the water. I think our relays are going to be pretty good,” assistant coach David Gourley said. “Right now we’re just working on getting the yards in, so we can improve on speed as the season goes on.”

Park Hill will also have a strong addition to the mix this year with senior transfer Lauren Shaw, who transferred from Warrensburg. She placed second in the 100 backstroke and third in the 100 freestyle at the state swim meet last season.

“She is looking to end her high school career as an individual state champion,” head coach Karl Haley said.

Park Hill will get a good indication of where they stand compared to the competition on January 5^th when they host the Park Hill Invite which will feature 23 local teams. Attempting to repeat at conference against Lee’s Summit West will have an added obstacle with the addition of Park Hill South to the field, but that won’t change the Trojans’ goal of improving on an individual level to give them a shot at going back-to-back.