A worthwhile commitment – SHS swimming and diving team remains united despite a host of scheduling challenges
A worthwhile commitment
SHS swimming and diving team remains united despite a host of scheduling challenges
By Lucas Knowles
Editor
The bus arrived at Reiche School in Portland a little before 7:30 p.m. and half of the Scarborough swim team, after getting their bathing suits on, jumped in the pool. Coach Bill Stone tried to get the practice going as quickly as possible. After all, the team only had an hour-and-a-half of pool time.
It is a typical weekday evening for the Scarborough swimming and diving team. The students begin with a “dry land” workout at Scarborough High School, which includes weight training and cardiovascular work. A bus then takes them to Portland, with swimmers being dropped off either at the Boys and Girls Club or Reiche School and divers dropped off at the Riverton facility, for the pool portion of their practice. By the time the team is dropped off at Scarborough High School, it is around 9:30 p.m.
The swim team is divided into two groups because there are simply too many people on the team to fit into one practice at either of the facilities in Portland. This year’s team consists of nearly 50 swimmers and seven divers. Swimmers rotate between the two facilities because there are starting blocks to practice on at one and not at the other.
The Scarborough High School swimming and diving team’s home meets are held in Cape Elizabeth.
Stone, who is in his fourth year as head coach and his tenth with the team, said he knows that having his team divided into two groups makes it harder to create team chemistry, but he tries to promote the team concept.
“At the beginning of the season, we tried to get the kids all on the same page,” Stone said. “We try hard to give the whole team an identity by doing things like switching the kids in the groups each month.”
Stone said the travel time each day can add up to 30 to 45 minutes in addition to practice time, which he did admit makes things a little more difficult.
“It’s hard on the kids, because they are up later and we have kids who do tons of extra curricular activities, take AP classes and still have a lot of homework to do when they get home,” Stone said. “It’s hard for me too.”
Scarborough’s swimming teams have had a record of success in recent years, winning both Southwestern and state championships.
When asked how Scarborough’s swim teams have had great success in recent years, Stone credited a “great feeder system” through local club teams, strong support from the local booster group and the school system providing money in addition to the booster funds.
Students said the extra time and effort it takes to be on the swimming and diving team is well worth it because of the support they receive.
“It’s worth it because of the team unity and the support system we have,” Lindsey Libby, a senior, said.
“You get to be part of something important,” Kaycee Stevens, a senior, said.
Senior Emily Shinay said her participation on the team helps her focus in other parts of her life.
“I do a lot outside of classes and (being on the team) motivates me to focus more,” Emily said. “I know after practice I will get home and be tired, but it doesn’t let me lose my focus.”
All of the students said they enjoyed being on the team because of the sport is an individual one, but also a team one. They said one of the best parts of a meet is beating their own personal record, but also seeing someone else beat their own personal best.
The swimming and diving teams have had a fine season so far. The boys, going into their meet this week with Cape Elizabeth, were undefeated, while the girls only had one loss, which came to Greely. In their last meet, both the boys and girls teams defeated Cheverus High School. Both the Southwestern and state championships are coming up and members of the team are preparing for those competitions.
SHS swimming and diving team remains united despite a host of scheduling challenges
By Lucas Knowles
Editor
The bus arrived at Reiche School in Portland a little before 7:30 p.m. and half of the Scarborough swim team, after getting their bathing suits on, jumped in the pool. Coach Bill Stone tried to get the practice going as quickly as possible. After all, the team only had an hour-and-a-half of pool time.
It is a typical weekday evening for the Scarborough swimming and diving team. The students begin with a “dry land” workout at Scarborough High School, which includes weight training and cardiovascular work. A bus then takes them to Portland, with swimmers being dropped off either at the Boys and Girls Club or Reiche School and divers dropped off at the Riverton facility, for the pool portion of their practice. By the time the team is dropped off at Scarborough High School, it is around 9:30 p.m.
The swim team is divided into two groups because there are simply too many people on the team to fit into one practice at either of the facilities in Portland. This year’s team consists of nearly 50 swimmers and seven divers. Swimmers rotate between the two facilities because there are starting blocks to practice on at one and not at the other.
The Scarborough High School swimming and diving team’s home meets are held in Cape Elizabeth.
Stone, who is in his fourth year as head coach and his tenth with the team, said he knows that having his team divided into two groups makes it harder to create team chemistry, but he tries to promote the team concept.
“At the beginning of the season, we tried to get the kids all on the same page,” Stone said. “We try hard to give the whole team an identity by doing things like switching the kids in the groups each month.”
Stone said the travel time each day can add up to 30 to 45 minutes in addition to practice time, which he did admit makes things a little more difficult.
“It’s hard on the kids, because they are up later and we have kids who do tons of extra curricular activities, take AP classes and still have a lot of homework to do when they get home,” Stone said. “It’s hard for me too.”
Scarborough’s swimming teams have had a record of success in recent years, winning both Southwestern and state championships.
When asked how Scarborough’s swim teams have had great success in recent years, Stone credited a “great feeder system” through local club teams, strong support from the local booster group and the school system providing money in addition to the booster funds.
Students said the extra time and effort it takes to be on the swimming and diving team is well worth it because of the support they receive.
“It’s worth it because of the team unity and the support system we have,” Lindsey Libby, a senior, said.
“You get to be part of something important,” Kaycee Stevens, a senior, said.
Senior Emily Shinay said her participation on the team helps her focus in other parts of her life.
“I do a lot outside of classes and (being on the team) motivates me to focus more,” Emily said. “I know after practice I will get home and be tired, but it doesn’t let me lose my focus.”
All of the students said they enjoyed being on the team because of the sport is an individual one, but also a team one. They said one of the best parts of a meet is beating their own personal record, but also seeing someone else beat their own personal best.
The swimming and diving teams have had a fine season so far. The boys, going into their meet this week with Cape Elizabeth, were undefeated, while the girls only had one loss, which came to Greely. In their last meet, both the boys and girls teams defeated Cheverus High School. Both the Southwestern and state championships are coming up and members of the team are preparing for those competitions.
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