Todd Duncan is pleasantly surprised by what he sees.
As the Brandon coed swimming program prepared for its first meet of the season at the Mt. Morris Relays Dec. 4, Duncan has nearly double the swimmers he worked with last year when the Blackhawks were a club team.
The Blackhawks currently have 17 boys on their roster, plus five girls who participated in other fall sports and are thus allowed to take part on the team.
‘Last year, we had about eight or nine guys, so that’s a pretty good turnout, compared to last year,? Duncan said. ‘Typically, boys teams have between 18-28 swimmers. They’re generally smaller than girls teams.?
The team got into the swing of things with workouts beginning Nov. 22. Duncan said those practices were important to get the team ready for competitive action.
‘We have a lot of kids who have never swam competitively before,? he said.
Despite that, Duncan said the Blackhawks can be competitive in the Flint Metro League this season, since there is no dominant team this season.
‘You don’t know what to expect,? he said.
The Blackhawks have several swimmers whom Duncan expects to do particularly well this season:
‘Junior Tyson DeLandsheer, who has cut his time in the breaststroke down to 1:09 (just below the state cut of 1:06).
‘Junior Tyler Cole, whom Duncan said is a ‘good sprinter? and has done well in 50 and 100 yard races.
‘Ali Sowa, who raced on the girls cross country team this season. Duncan said she is ‘very competitive? and did well last year against both boys and girls swimmers.
‘Brad MacIntyre, whom Duncan said ‘came a long way last year.?
Duncan was optimistic about the Blackhawks? chances at the Mt. Morris relays, which do not feature any individual events. There are only six teams at the meet, so Duncan said Brandon has a good shot at doing well.
‘It’s a great meet for us,? he said.