Salina South High School - Preener Yearbook (Salina, KS)

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l D ' l O' al. i le 5 x.. 'O' l.n-ru 1. 4A and State backstroke champion Rob Swanson stands on the victory blocks. 2. Jed Blankenship achieved one individual breast- stroke and one medley relay gold medal at State. 3. Cougar swimmers this year were, FRUNT ROW SEATED LEFT TU RIGHT: Mike Stinson, Jed Blankenship tteam cap- tainj, Dane Johnston, Chris Plante, Darren Anderson, Ken Weis, Calvin Nelson. FIRST HOW STANDING: Lee Swartz tco-captainl, Jeff Redeker, Carl Diggs, George Plante, Scott Polidoro, Randy Hagen, Ed Null, SECOND ROW STANDING: Greg Mermis, Don Rose, Doug Levin, Bruce Grandstaff, Mike Payne, and Rob Swanson. 4, Rob Swanson is amused, Don Rose, apprehensive after their medley re- lay victory at the 4A invitational. 5. The relay of Rob Swanson, Jed Blankenship, Mike Stin- son, and Dane Johnston broke school, pool, and state records to win the medley at the State meet. 6. First and second place put South dominant on the scoreboard after Dane Johnston's and Mike Stinsonls 50 freestyle race in the 4A invitational. swimming 205

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Adding another year to it's bril- liant past, the Salina South Swim team gained a little extra. ln past years, the swim team has been ack- nowledged as CKL and State champs. Last year an undefeated dual season and CKL gold proved su- perior swimming capabilities over teams in not only the Central Kansas League, but 5A teams also. Such events as the barnburning meet against Wichita Southeast, a team who had not been beaten by a 4A team in 15 years, proved coach Dick Rivera's infallable insight into his swimmers strategic ability. All these triumphs were accomplished by a re- latively young team. Plagued with losses to graduation, and an acute in- ability of some to handle the stress of the workouts, the team witnessed some highs and lows this year. They accomplished the realization of so- mething good coming to them during their low points maturity. The O I W1II1II11I1g realization of hard workouts and still suffering losses to such rivals as Sa- lina Central and Topeka, provided our tankers with a better vision of victory. Their excellent performances in the Salina 4A invitational and the State meet provided this. A surging amount of stamina allowed them a first place in the Salina 4A invita- tional, restoring the swimmers per- sonal pride by defeating Central. The team became the lst 4A team to place as high as 4th in a 4-5A com- bined state meet in 16 years. This rounded out the season on a familiar note . . . success. Looking into the future, coach Ri- vera sees a possible championship free relay, as well as several indivi- dual victories. Hoping that the long yardage the swimmers will log next year pays off, we predict the maturity gained by the coach and swimmers will help break more records in 4A as well as 5A. AMW? M fi is . cc '2r'f fex' 1 .iie . 204 swimming ,-ng x 7 'M X e . aw gif 1 4 1 i W EVENT HEAT 9

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