Wendy Werner
CherryRoad Media

In about 30 days, 56 Syracuse swimmers competed in seven meets plus practices and celebrated with an end of season “practice” and picnic.

The Syracuse swim team age groups and numbers were: 8-U, 17; 9/10, 17; 11/12, 12; 13/14, five; and 15-U, five.

The season began June 2 with a mock meet. The team traveled to Nebraska City, Auburn and Maryville before hosting meets on June 16 and 25. The team went to Plattsmouth and Nebraska City on June 21 and 28.

The last practice on June 27 incorporated an activity where 300 ducks were thrown into the pool. Each swimmer had to find seven ducks with their name on them.

A potluck picnic on June 29 at Luther Memorial Church included award presentations.

This year’s high point winners were:

15-U Boys: Keegan Damme, 129

15-U Girls: Olivia Foley, 51

13/14 Boys: No boys in this age group

13/14 Girls: Aubrey Jongebloed, 41.25

11/12 Boys: Easton Cooper, 109

11/12 Girls: Harper Wilhelm, 92

9/10 Boys: Ollie Johnson, 60.50

9/10 Girls: Tie between Kaelyn Burns and Elsie England, 37.75

8-U Boys: Arthur Hennessy, 21

8-U Girls: Ellie Houghton, 66.75

The Syracuse swim team was coached by Alexis Mogensen, Becki Neemann, and Carl Purcell.

Mogensen said, “It was great to be back with all the kids this season, after taking a year off due to college and clinicals. All of our swimmers are great kids that bring me, and all the other coaches lots of joy and lots of laughs.”

A board member said swimming is not only a full-body workout but also builds endurance, lung capacity, and lifelong fitness in ways few other sports can and encourages athletes in the older divisions where numbers are lower to consider spending the month of June on the swim team.