McCluer North High School - Polaris Yearbook (Florissant, MO)

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164 Boys’ Swimming 1983 Boys’ Swimming Coach: Mike McFarland St. Charles Berkeley Parkway West McCluer Pattonville Parkway Central Ladue Hazelwood East Hazelwood West Chaminade Hazelwood Central S.L.U.H. DeSmet Ritenour With complete concentration, Kevin Durham, senior, completes an inward dive during a home meet. Putting everything into it, Steve Wedig, sophomore, swims the crawl in the meet on December 17, 1982. Swimming the crawl, Steve Wedig, sophomore, speeds up as he approaches the end.

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Knowing the importance of agility, the team mem- bers stretch before their individual matches. With quick reflexes, Kathy O’Neal, senior, returns a slam while Pam Temps, sophomore, looks on. As if it was guided, the ball floated across the net and neatly landed two inches in- side the white line. McCluer North was victorious once again. The girls’ tennis team was superb this year. “We work together well while still having a good time,” said Captain Sue Birmingham, sen- ior, “and we are always there to support Tennis team takes aim! our teammates.” The grueling practices and running ses- sions of the pre-season gave the girls the stamina to play a third set when it be- came necessary. Jane Helbig, coach, was very proud of the way the girls handled themselves, and this was very evident early in the season when she said, “I be- lieve we are capable of going the whole season without losing a match.” “| enjoyed being on the tennis team. It was a lot of work but | had some fun times.” - Lynn Schulte. Compared to recent years, the girls had a relatively injury-free season, and this contributed both to the strength of the team and their mental attitudes. The team’s only early season defeat was at the hands of Aquinas, and this was a very close contest. “I think if we played up to our potential we could have beaten them, but it was early in the season and we didn’t really have confidence in our- selves,” said Lynn Schalte, freshman. With precise timing, Pam Temps, sophomore, ex- ecutes a crosscourt volley that leaves her opponent helpless. Girls’ Tennis 163

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With his teammates watching in the background, Jeff Justice, senior, takes a practice dive. Swimmers, take your mark! Get set! ... Bang! The swimming Stars were off on their 82-83 season. Being on the boys’ swim team required dedication, perseverance, and willing- ness to work. Practices were every day after school and consisted of about 4000 yards or 106 lengths of the pool. Swim- mers alternated between sprints and dis- tance practices. Doing the butterfly, Steve Pummer, junior, races to get ahead of his opponents in the Hazelwood East meet. Into the swim of things The season record was 2 wins, Il losses. This did not present an accurate picture of the team. ‘The scoring system was inadequate for a team of our size this year,’ explained Philip Springer, sopho- more. Another reason for the record was the unusually hard lineup of opponents. “No one seemed disappointed this year, and the seniors, especially, had a good attitude.’ Mike McFar- land. The swimming Stars were coached by Mike McFarland, who has been coaching since McCluer North opened. “I enjoy it,” he remarked. “I like trying to get the best from the swimmers.” The boys’ swim team ended the season with a 7th place in the Suburban North League Conference. Several swimmers qualified for the final segment of the competition, and also placed in the top ten. The team was well-rounded with five seniors, five juniors, and eleven sopho- mores and freshmen. There were many outstanding swimmers and a good backup group- essential for competition. As for the future? “The prospects look good for next year,” said Steve Pummer, junior. ‘“Three-fourths of the old team will be back, plus whatever freshmen and new people come in.” a In a meet against Hazelwood East, Kevin Durham, senior, comes out of a forward dive. Boys’ Swimming I65