By Bruce Karnick

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With the shortened season, Head Coach Gerry Rupp has some work ahead of him to get his guys back to swimming shape quickly. Hastings has been a perennial powerhouse in swimming for the Metro East Conference, finishing with a 5 and 1 record last year. That was good enough for a second-place finish in the conference.

This year, the team is looking a little smaller than previous years according to Rupp, “We have 20 athletes out for the team from grades 7-12. About a 20 percent decrease, in large part due to individuals opting out because of Covid-19 concerns.”

That does not mean the hopes of another solid season are in jeopardy. Many of the state qualifiers from last year are returning this year. “In post season action we managed to qualify a diver, Ryan Lester to state. We also qualified the 200 yd. Medley relay consisting of Phil Jensen, Liam Schelhamer, Avery Stoffel and Joe Everson. Of those qualifiers, we return Ryan 12th, Phil 11th, Liam 12th, and Joe 12th to this year’s squad,” Rupp explained.

There is also strength in the team’s youth. “In addition to those athletes, we are hoping for big things out of Hudson Doty 12th, John Destross 11th, Adam Duer 10th, Caleb Urban 10th and Taylor Schmaltz 9th,” Rupp added.

Swimming is one of the few sports where all secondary students are allowed to practice together. Once kids reach 7th grade, they can participate in the same swim program as the Seniors. Same coaches, same training, same meets. That can help the younger groups become better more quickly.

With COVID restrictions in place, the plan is similar to what was executed for the girls season. No fans will be allowed at any home meets. The only venues spectators will be allowed are at The Grove and at Henry Sibley’s new pool. Both have significantly more space to spread out. At each of those venues, there will be two spectators per athlete.

An important note, as mentioned above. Henry Sibley now has a new facility. They are no longer swimming at Heritage Middle School. The new pool building is on the grounds of Henry Sibley High School. When you travel from Hastings, take highway 55 west to 52 north. On 52, take the exit to 494/62 WEST and stay left for 62 West. Once on 62 west, stay in the right lane and travel to Delaware Ave. Turn right on Delaware. The pool is the first building you will see on the left just below the main school parking lot. Hastings travels to Henry Sibley on March 4th, we’ll remind you of the new location just before that meet and hopefully more fans will be allowed in by then.

Hastings Boys Swimming opens their season AT The Grove against Simley on January 14th at 6:00 p.m. Their first home meet will be January 28th against St. Thomas Academy. Keep an eye on HCTV’s schedule for when they will be streaming meets and as always, check the Journal for results.