Serious swimmers sought for USA Swimming
Bonner Springs High swimming coach Preston Williams is bringing a highly competitive swim team to the area and is looking for serious swimmers.
He currently has four swimmers, but is seeking more for the newly created USA Swimming team.
Currently, the closest programs are in Roeland Park or Lawrence. Williams is hoping to draw swimmers from Shawnee and the surrounding areas, not just Bonner Springs.
He has talked to local coaches including those at Mill Valley, DeSoto and Lansing high schools hoping to draw interest because there isn’t a program of this caliber in their area or the coaches aren’t certified USA coaches.
“I have a quite a few kids that will join in the fall,” Williams said. “We’re looking at only two meets for long-course season before we get into the regional championships and the Missouri Valley League Championships if we were to make it there. We would love to build more this summer, and we’re looking to build throughout the fall.”
The long-course season, which is in the summer, takes place in a 50-meter pool like the Olympics. The short-course season is in the standard 25-yard pool, which is used during the high school season.
Williams said USA Swim is equivalent to what AAU is for basketball.
“It’s a lot more of a commitment for the kids than a normal summer league,” Williams said. “I think we’re going to have time standards in place. For now, we’re taking it as a case-by-case basis. I have four kids on the team at the moment. These are kids who under our future time standards would be fine.”
For more information, contact Williams or Bonner Springs YMCA aquatics director Adam Johnson at 913-422-9348.
“We’re really excited about it,” Williams said. “I think it’s going to be an awesome thing. I’m excited to see it grow.”