The Douglas High School swim team kicks off its season later this month.
 Douglas High School is fielding its largest swim team in years as 36 boys and girls came out for swimming this year. The DHS swimmers kick off their season with a home meet Aug. 30. Bruce Whetten/Douglas Dispatch |
“We are so excited about this year,” Coach Cardenas said. “We’ve just about doubled our numbers on the first day. Its really great to see that.”
Last year Coach Cardenas only had eight boys and the rest were girls. This year the coach said the boys’ numbers have jumped up to 14 and there are 22 girls.
“Last year we were short on boys (numbers) and it affected our team,” she said. “This year with 14 boys starting off the season we’re hoping to get two solid relay teams which will help us gets the points we need to get at the high school meets.”
The DHS swim team has six meets and four invitationals; just two of the meets are home however. The season begins with a home meet Aug. 30 against Desert Christian. The last home meet will be Sept. 20 against Buena.
Coach Cardenas said its tough replacing an All-American swimmer like Brandon Young who is now swimming for the University of Utah.
“Brandon will be irreplaceable for quite a while,” she said. “But were hoping as the interest grows and our team grows we’ll see another All-American.”
The coach is looking to her Douglas Dolphin swim club for talent.
“It’s not impossible,” she said. “It just takes time.”
Cardenas realizes the success of the U.S. swim team at the Olympics has a lot to do with her increase in numbers.
“It seems to be the trend every time we have the summer Olympics we have a peak in interest,” she said. “But we’ll take what we can get.”
The coach said she and the kids are anxious to start the season.
“They are pumped, ready to go, it’s going to be an exciting season,” she said.
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anabel dominguez wrote on Aug 30, 2012 9:55 AM: