Published: November 26, 2008 09:22 pm         

Ten letterwinners returning to Goshen swimming team

Fresh from a winning season, the outlook is bright for Goshen High School boys swimming in 2008-09.

Ten letterwinners return from a Redskin team which posted a 7-5 record last winter, 3-4 in the Northern Lakes Conference.

Coach Scott Garvin said, “We expect to do at least as good, if not better. Numbers are up, we have a nice influx of freshmen and others out for the first time.”

The returnees are seniors Brian Yoder, Travis Reyburn and Andrew Krabill; junior Andrew Podgorski; sophomores Barrett Younghans, Jason Yoder, Michael Riegsecker, Taylor Haviland, Connor Haviland and Addison Christner.

Also on the roster are senior Sam Jacobs; juniors Adrian Rosas and Joey Miller; sophomores Tyler Wynn, Jon Rheinheimer, Rodrigo Millan and Lazaro Garcia; freshmen Cooper Douwsma, Victor Garcia, Ryan Long, Tom Palczynski, Alex Podgorski and Clancy Short.

“This is a good, solid group of swimmers,” said Garvin. “We should be able to hold our own in the pool and will be nice to fill all the lanes. I think we can put together some decent relay teams.

“Our shortcoming might be in the sprint freestyles, but we should do good in the other strokes.

“We will continue to find out who can do what in practice. The guys may not always be swimming the events they want to. There has been good competition in practice.”

Brian Yoder’s best event appears to be backstroke, Reyburn butterfly, Krabill diving, Andrew Podgorski breaststroke, Riegsecker diving, Taylor Haviland backstroke, Conner Haviland breaststroke, Christner backstroke, Short backstroke and freestyle.

Douwsma and Garcia are among top freshmen in the program.

Kathy Momotiuk is an assistant coach in swimming events and Ben Yoder is working with divers.

The Redskin host the Goshen Relays on Saturday, Dec. 6 and have three home meets the following week — Bremen on the 9th, Plymouth on the 11th and Warsaw on the 13th.

The GHS swimming program, boys and girls, is hosting a fundraiser Saturday with Nelson’s chicken from 10 a.m. to sellout in front of Raeco on Lincolnway East. The cost is $5 per half and proceeds benefit GHS swimming.

This is the 48th season of swimming at Goshen High School with the current gym-pool building going up in 1961.

Bill Ennis was the first head coach of Redskin swimmers in 1961-62.