With their goggles and nose plugs in hand, the girls on the Varsity swim team at Oxford High School are anxious to start their first season ever.
Coach Peggy Verbeke has been an avid swimmer for over 30 years and wasn’t going to pass up the chance to coach the first swim team OHS has ever had.
This years team consists of about 50 girls, with seven of them competing in diving events.
‘Some have swam competitively before and others have never swam (competitively),? Verbeke said. ‘We have a real wide variety.?
The coach said to expect to see excitment, growth and a lot of team spirit from her group of girls.
‘The girls are very enthusiastic and very supportive of each other so far. I just expect that to get bigger and better,? she said. ‘They all are trying their best.?
The captains for this years swim team are Ellen Martin and Tiara Tatarczyk.
Because there are many schools in the Flint Metro League which don’t have swim teams, Oxford’s team will be competing against girls from outside the league.
For swimmers, each meet will consist of relays, individual two-length freestyles, and even a 500-yard freestyle swim. Divers will perform six different techniques of diving.
Dive coach Patsy Bonfiglio said the goal for this season is to better develop her girls in the basics of diving.
‘I think we’ll have a good team,? she said. ‘We’ve got a couple girls who are showing some good skills and I think they only need a little more time and they’re gonna come out strong.?
Verbeke said she chooses the swimming lineup for each meet based on the girls? experience and which stroke they’re most confidant performing.
‘We want to win, but I want to give everybody a chance,? she said.
Towards the end of the season, the Varsity swim team is looking forward to hosting the Flint Metro League Tournament on November 3 and 4. Be sure to check out their next home meet on September 21 against Brandon.