Swimming Preview: Pioneer boys’ team ready to pick up where they left off last year

The Pioneer boys’ swimming and diving team doesn’t need any motivation but if they did they could just look across the water and see the state championship trophy their female “teammates” won earlier this month.

Swimming at Pioneer has a few consistencies among the boys and girls. Head Coach Stef Kerska and assistant coach Patrick Zakrajsek are at the top of the list followed by a long tradition of excellence, success and championships.

Both the girls and boys at Pioneer are intense and all-in when it comes to swimming and diving. Whether second by .5 or first by 184 points, Pioneer swimming approaches each season the same way with the same goals and often the same impressive results.

The last time we saw the Pioneer boys’ swimming and diving team they were 9-0, had just won an SEC Red league title and were getting ready for the state finals. Then everything changed – and swimming was over for the year.

Pioneer has won an incredible 15 state titles in boys’ swimming (77-82, 84-85, 93, 99, 02, 03, 05, 06 and 09). And the ones they don’t win they are always in the mix and they should be right there near the top again when this season comes an end – hopefully, the way it’s supposed to end.

Top returning swimmers included a strong group who were ranked in the top eight heading into last year’s state finals – Matt Segal 2nd 200 IM & 1st 100 breast; Cole Tremewan – 1st Diving; and Cam Williston 8th 500 free.

“Our team strengths are our divers and our depth,” Kerska said. “We need to work on our sprint speed. Our team goals are always the same – commitment to the team and excellence, plus win.”

Pioneer opens the season (tonight) Jan. 28 with a home meet against Saline.