By Brenda Sexton | The Courier-Herald
The Bonney Lake High girls swim and dive team has one returning senior, but she’s a two-time state place winner who will serve as captain and team leader.
Diver Kelsi Potterf, who finished sixth at state in 2008 and 14th in 2007, returns to lead the Lady Panthers this fall. She will be joined by two seniors who are new to the team and the sport, a group of third-year juniors who will be asked to step into a leadership role and a bevy of much-improved sophomores.
Fifth-year Panther coach Ruth Conrad said the season is young, and since turnout started two weeks before Bonney Lake High opens its doors Tuesday for classes, she’s hoping her squad, currently with 18 members, grows.
Even with small numbers, Conrad expects big things from this group of hard workers.
“They’re catching on,” she said of the newcomers. “And I’m seeing the returners are more confident in their skills.”
The Panthers suffered a couple of key losses in the off season. Diver April Knisley, who placed 12th at state, graduated and senior Emily Anderson, who went to state in the 100-yard butterfly and the 200-yard individual medley, looks to be out for the season after surgery for an injury.
Among the improved, Conrad mentioned Elise Duncan, a strong freestyle sprinter for the Panthers last season, who has been honing her skills with a club team in the offseason.
The Panthers kick off the season Sept. 10 with a home meet at the Sumner High pool against the Western Cascade Conference’s Capital High, traditionally a strong swim program. With first-meet jitters expected to run high, Conrad said the support of the home crowd will be a big benefit for the girls.
“We have the best group of parents,” Conrad said. “Ninety-five percent of our parents are at every meet. It’s very nice for us, being a new school, to see our parents up there cheering for us.”
Conrad won’t be doing all the deck duty alone. Nick Leigh is serving as assistant coach for both the Sumner and Bonney Lake high school’s diving programs.
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