The boys swim team had a lot to live up to this year after the state championship of 2022. In the first big leap towards winning state, the team won conference on Oct. 18, and hoped to continue down the road to another success.
On Friday Nov. 10, the team’s hopes and goals became a reality and the Colts won a back to back state championship. The championship was topped off by Will Jost setting the Missouri record in the 100 freestyle. The Colts won the 200 Medley relay and the 200 free relay. With a total scoring 328 points and Parkway West was a distant second place with 186 points.
Just about every swimmer’s goal this year is to make it as far as possible in the fight for a higher placing at this year’s state championship. In every sport, especially swimming, motivation is always a struggle. Senior co-captain, Tyler Bryant finds motivation from his teammates
“What pushes me the most is my teammate, Will Jost. He gives me a lot of motivation to always be at my best. But what also motivates me is winning, I love to win, which is why I’m looking forward to state,” Bryant said. Bryant placed 5th in the 100 free compared to last year’s 8th place, and dropped time. Bryant also moved up to compete in the championship 50 free heat and once again dropped time.
Swim is an extremely competitive and mental sport, which in the previous year the Colts were able to manage the pressure and push through their struggles. Coach Andrew Schonhoff continues to see the progress the boys have made and always has the same end goal, to win state.
“More than anything, this is a group that is competitive and hungry, which makes them really enjoyable to coach. They learn from their losses and performances that don’t go well and use it as fuel to stay motivated. They have also experienced quite a bit of success this season so far, but they don’t let their successes diminish their work ethic going forward,” Schonhoff said.
With the constant work put into this sport, even after the school season, the boys have to work through clubs to stay in shape for each year. Sophomore Brody Blatt swims for a top club in Missouri and he details the big difference between club and highschool swim.
“The team atmosphere is more enhanced during the high school season, it’s almost like we’re more of a ‘team’ than club. Club is more of individual development, always pushing yourself to get faster instead of your teammates” Blatt said. Blatt was part of the 400 freestyle relay team that won first place. Blatt also placed 2nd in the 500 free, dropping 10 seconds from his time last year
Swim, being such an individual-driven sport, goals differ from each swimmer. Most goals this season were as simple as “winning state”, yet some people had deeper goals in mind. Such as junior Cole Smith who illustrates his goals.
“My goal is to always drop time, get faster, and of course eventually get top 8 at state. My proudest moments so far this season have been breaking minutes, knowing that I’m getting faster,” Smith said.
The mental game, coach Schonhoff agrees, is a part swimmers can always struggle with, yet improvement and mental focus will help them achieve their goals. With the overall goal always being state, Schonhoff’s met his goal.
“Our end goal is to win another state championship. Through their hard work and commitment, the boys have put themselves in a good position to score big points at state. However, our focus is on taking each day, practice, and swim set one at a time and letting the big picture unfold on its own,” Schonhoff said.
Motivation, what’s pushing the swimmers to be their best, is different for everyone. Sophomore Hunter Deutschmann gives a different answer than his teammates when it comes to motivation.
“My parents are my motivation because they’re always there for me. They’re pushing me to be my best because they always want me to do good,” Deutschmann said. Deutschmann placed 14th at state in the 100 butterfly
Even the swimmers who don’t swim for a club have some sort of motivation during the off-season. Sophomore Noah Hoffman, for example, does not swim for a club. Yet he still finds a way to stay motivated and focused on the end goal.
“My motivation comes from always wanting to stay in shape, whether it’s for the next season or just to get faster before state,” Hoffman said.
What comes with motivation is often leadership, in which people step up to push others to their best. Like Bryant said, William Jost pushes him to be his best. Senior co-captain William Jost is committed to Purdue after his long journey with Parkway Central swim. With this achievement he learns what makes him a better leader and athlete.
“My coaches have always pushed me to be my best and that has taught me how to push my teammates to make them better as well. With the ultimate goal being to win state, I will continue to push myself and my teammates to be the best we can be,” Jost said.
