SWIM AND DIVE PREVIEW: PH Swimmers ready to start own title streak

When your conference rival has won eleven straight titles, it can be quite discouraging coming in second place each year. Until the 2009 season, that was pretty much the story for the Park Hill Boys Swim and Dive team. With a 9-1 dual meet record last year, the Trojans were able to snap Park Hill South’s eleven year run. An impressive amount of lettermen returning will put the Trojans in position to create a streak of their own in 2010.

A seventh place finish at state, their third top-eight finish in three years, along with wins at the Independence, Park Hill, and North Kansas City Invitationals are just some of the competitions they would like to see repeat performances or better this season. Eight athletic seniors return for the Trojans including Sam Blacksher, Alex Emery, Chris Greger, Walker Hemphill, Bryce Kober, Charlie Rider, and Ben Svoboda. Greg, Hemphill, Kober, and Svoboda were selected to the All-State team last year.

“With eight returning seniors, we have very high expectations including a conference championship and finishing in the top four at state,” coach Karl Haley said.

Also joining a recognized senior class are juniors Jarde Alderman, Matt Johnson, and Garrett Wooldridge along with sophomores Kyle Allen, Josh Black, Kyle Branton, Joey Johnson, Conner Shene, Vinnie Tutorino, Matt Wagner, and Mason Witherspoon.

New conference alignments won’t allow for Park Hill to square off with Park Hill South in conference standings for the first time in over a decade, which means Park Hill will be fighting to defend their title against other area teams. At first glance, Lee’s Summit West appears to be an initial competitive matchup for the Trojans, but Haley believes his Trojan team can prevail.

“They’ll be a contender, but with our depth and talent I think we would be favored to win,” Haley said.

Park Hill will get off to quick and competitive starts with their first dual against Lee’s Summit West on August 31st followed by Park Hill South on September 7th. They’ll host their annual invitational on September 17th and 18th.