Clarkston swimming coach Kenwyn Chock did not have to wait very long for confirmation that this year’s girls team is the best in school history.
In the first meet of the season against Grand Blanc on Aug. 29, in the first event, and even from the first lane of the pool, the 200 medley relay team of freshmen Christine Seiple and Molli Simpson, junior Kandice Keen and sophomore Alyssa Vela became Clarkston’s first ever state qualifiers with a time of 1:56.7.
‘It’s a statement of what kind of team we have this season. I’ve been telling them since the beginning of the season, but we have never (qualified for states) so they never really believed before tonight,? said an elated Chock.
‘They knew what the state cuts were, but once they see they can do it, it’s going to be a dominoe effect. It just took one state cut and now the girls believe.?
In Chock’s eyes, the state qualifying performance was a true team effort.
‘There wasn’t one girl who stood out in that relay. There were four good legs in that relay,? said Chock.
The state cut in the 200 medley relay is 1:57.99.
Chock is the only coach for the swimming program in it’s six year history. She expects the Wolves to qualify two additional relay teams and at least six swimmers individually for states this year.
Much of the credit for Clarkston’s early success and high expectations is the off season diligence of young swimmers in the Clarkston Sea Wolves swim club, which was started and is run by Chock.
‘The Sea Wolves introduce competitive swimming to younger kids. The program is finally paying off,? said Chock.
Lost in the shuffle on Aug. 29 was another first for the Clarkston swim program ? the first victory for the Wolves over Grand Blanc. Clarkston won the day 108-77
Other impressive performances included school records of 25.83 in the 50 freestyle and 58.15 in the 100 freestyle set by Vela. Keen broke her own school record in the 500 freestyle with a time of 5:35.75. Simpson set a school record of 1:12.38 in the 100 breaststroke, missing the state cut by just over a second.
Clarkston’s next dual meet is Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. at home against rival Lake Orion. Chock is optimistic the Wolves will qualify swimmers for states in that meet as well.