Season Preview: Pioneers look to make another big splash on the biggest stage
The Pioneer girls’ swimming and diving team is loaded once again – yes, the Pioneers are one of those programs that keep on swimming along among the best in the state. And this season should be no different for the extremely talented and hard-working purple and white.
“We are a hard-working and focused team who loves to compete and swim for each other,” says Stef Kerska, now in his fifth year as head coach at Pioneer.
Even great teams need to improve – that’s how they become great teams.
“We need to improve our overall depth at championship meets, along with our sprint freestyle capabilities,” Kerska says.
To be successful and achieve their lofty goals, the Pioneers simply need to do what the Pioneers do – work hard, get better and be ready for the big meets.
“We need to build upon our strengths from last year and the culture we created,” Kerska says. “Our returning athletes, who put in the off-season work, along with our incoming class; they need to help build our depth and take the team to the next level.”
The next level isn’t that big of a climb for a team that went a perfect 8-0 last season and finished seventh in the Division 1 State Meet.
PIONEER SWIMMING PHOTO GALLERY
Top returners:
Junior Quoia Sam: All State 200 medley relay & 100 back
Sophomore Edwina Jalet: All State 200 medley relay & All Conference 100 breast
Sophomore Holly Pringle: All State 200 medley relay, 100 back, & 400 free relay
Sophomore Amelia Weyhing: All State 200 medley relay
Sophomore Lily Cramer: All State 200 individual medley, 100 breast, & 400 free relay; All Conference – 200 individual medley & 100 breast
Sophomore Vivian VanRenterghem: All State 400 free relay
Sophomore Lindsay Orringer-Hau: All State 400 free relay & All Conference – 100 fly
Pioneer’s home opener is Sept. 19 in a quad with Monroe, Ypsilanti Lincoln and Tecumseh.
