Sports Senior looks back on swimming season Cole Anneberg news editor Fear, excitement and nervousness. These were the three feelings I had when I attended the pre-season swim meeting back in November. I didn’t know really what to expect over the next four months, but I knew one thing -- this wasn’t going to be easy. I’ve never participated in any sport at any time prior to that watery beginning in November. I’ve never even had an interest in sports to be truthful. I couldn’t tell you the first thing about football. I had even made the generalization that all athletes were self-image-lovingpricks. Yet as soon as I took my first shaky dive into that 73 degree water I, myself, was entering the world of competitive sports. I joined swimming for two reasons, the first being that
I wanted to challenge myself and be a part of something I’ve never done before. As for the second I wanted to prove to my friends, family, future teammates, myself and others that I could be active in a competitive sport and that anyone truly can do anything they set their mind to -- no matter how cliche that sounds. I’m not going to lie, my first month was rough. Being the only senior on the swim team was hard because of the feeling pressure to be that “super-swimmer” -- which I knew I wasn’t -- and it was just as challenging to bond with guys younger than me. Besides that, I felt like a sort of outcast. I was placed in lane the rest of the team knowing of my sexuality there was a bit of whispering when I left my bag in the stands that first day. Of course as with any homosexual teen on a sports team, there was a little hesitation from most of the others and myself, and the whole atmosphere was tense. Practice went on and the day’s swim sets gradually evened
out and I started to get better with my form and stroke. Yet still I felt like a senior outcast. The juniors began discussing swim captains, which made me feel more pressure because the usual with teams is that the senior is the captain of the team. But how can somebody who is a first year by default be the swim captain? I didn’t want to step on the juniors’ toes because who was I to deny them that earned title? I felt more and more out of place before our first meet. I remember vividly the way the Topeka Natatorium looked as I walked in. The crystal-mazarine-blue water caught my eye, with flags directing my sight to Topeka swim officials setting up the touch pads. I instantly felt my gut twist and my nerves flared. Later at the meet, after swim warm-ups and starting events, I was stretching over at the wall in preparation for my event. I have never felt more anxious in my 18 years of life then I did then. The siren beeped and I took the dive. Pulling up and out I glazed over the water
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smooth and fast. I freestylestroked as fast as I could and landed back at the wall earning third in the event. Third. I felt like I could do anything at that time and I felt more accomplished in swimming than in than any other position with a activity I’ve earned or held while in high school. Student body president, news editor, national honor society, you name it. Nothing could compare to the feeling of placing in my firstever event. That day was also the beginning of bonding with my other teammates. That night everyone came out of their shells during the bus ride home and the team felt more like how teams are supposed to. Over the course of the time that followed I got to know some of Manhattan High Schools best individuals. I developed a bond with some freshmen and others which I won’t ever forget the memories we created together. I’m not sure what clicked during that first meet or the others that followed, but gradually I came to love swimming, it’s something I
will always remember. Through all the practices I lowered my time from 37.8 seconds on a 50 meter freestyle to a 27.7, 10 whole seconds. I remember at our first home meet ,after I got first in my heat in the 200-meter medley relay, looking up in the bleachers and seeing my mom smile at me and my performance I had just done. Believe me when I say this, nothing ever can compare to the feeling of the pride in accomplishment I felt at that moment. Here’s my advice to other students out there not involved in athletics. Go out and be a part of something similar to this. You will not regret it, no matter how tough the start is. I was at Centennial-League last Friday on the swim block, and I thought about my performance over the four-month season and how proud of myself I was. I will never forget or regret the choice I made last November when I joined the team. It truly is a highlight of my high school career.
Run Konner Run
track coach said, “He needs to be fresh for track season.” Cool has already noticed positive effects of his running, When you saw sleet earlier and plans to be ready for track December 5 vs. Junction City, this year, you were probably in- season. “I feel 10 times stron47-57 side your warm house enjoying ger than before I started,” he Loss. a cup a hot chocolate. Konner said. Studies show that running December 8 vs. Washburn Rural, Cool was out running 11 miles 46-48 higher mileage can have positive on the shoulder of the road, Loss. effects such as stronger muscles barely able to keep his eyes and bones, and reduced chance December 13 vs. Great Bend, open as the sleet stung his face. of injury. It can also have nega62-63 Loss. Cool, a senior at Manhattan tive effects such as “burning High School, had to run almost out” where the runner becomes December 16 vs. Junction City, 59-63 every day to complete his goal mentally and physically exLoss. of running 500 miles in 50 days. hausted. January 3 vs. Emporia “I took about a day off every As well as the physical 58-31. month,” Cool said. He started Win. benefits, Cool has experienced on Dec. 18 and finished last mental benefits. It has boosted January 5 vs. Shawnee Heights Tuesday, Feb. 7. He averaged 39-35 his confidence and showed his Win. 10 miles a day, and somedays he dedication. His challenge has did 16 to 20 to make up for the also effected other runners. January 10 vs. Washburn Rural 40-49. days he took off. Last Sunday he “His dedication is an inspiration Win. ran 20 miles in two hours and to our team,” Melgares said. 23 minutes. January 13 vs. Junction City His brother, his team, and his 61-57. So when the sleet started parents have all been very supLoss. Senior Konner Cool, second from right, runs in the Moonlight Mile. He takes runcoming down, Cool knew he ning very seriously and works to perfect the sport he loves almost everyday. portive of his accomplishment. still had to run his 11 miles. “It “My family supports me 100 Photo contribution felt like thousands of needles percent,” Cool said. poking my face,” he said. Sleet After a slower cross country and other weather conditions season than he would have liked, were not able to slow Cool Cool hopes that his intensive down, and he completed his off-season training will help goal. have a fast track season. He This challenge of 500 miles plans to run the 1600-meter and in 50 days was Cool’s own idea. the 3200-meter race for track. He has always enjoyed running He plans to run in college, and Lindsey Goff I who’ve been playing since longer distances, but he had he has his eyes on Kansas State, editor in chief ments and we’re nationally we were six and some who to step it up to get 70 miles a Pittsburgh State and Western qualified for a two-week-long just started this year. It’s great week. It was his special way to State in Colorado. If he can’t get Flint Hills Wind coach Rick tournament. First we have the to get us all together to bond prepare for his last high school a scholarship he may walk on. Davis has been putting his soft- and come together as a team,” 18A Gold World Series at the track season and for his running Cool was behind 15 miles at ball girls through Hell Weekend senior Cat Bridegam said. end of July in Kansas City. The future, possibly in college. day 39, but he rallied and ran for about 20 years. Hell Weeksecond one is the East Coast NaThe weekend consists of Fellow runner Chris Melextra to finish his goal, running end consists of running about tionals at Myrtle Beach, South arriving at Alta Vista on Friday gares, a sophomore at MHS, has 20 miles last Sunday. After the 15 miles in any kind of weather, night for a three hour practice, Carolina during the first week other ideas about Cool’s motiva- 50th day, Cool finally got some practicing batting and bonding of August,” Bridegam said. followed by a 3.5 mile run. tion. “I think he was inspired rest. He took 2 days of recuwith your team. The Wind has two Hell Around 12:30 a.m. the girls get by his brother,” Melgares said. peration and has now resumed This year the girls broke Weekends a year, one during a wakeup call for a 45-minute Kory Cool, Konner’s older training for track. He may run Davis’ team record of miles that practice and a two-mile run that the winter and one before the brother, ran at MHS and in with the track conditioning were run in the timespan of 24 is followed by a batting practice. summer starts. Hell Weekend college and still trains for road group after school to build hours. provides the girls an opportuThe girls then get the opporturaces today. Kory and Konner “We ran about 16 miles, it’s nity to get closer to one another often run together to keep each speed for shorter races in track. nity to sleep in until 5:45 a.m. Cool has ran through sleet, really tough. Sometimes when before softball season with and For the rest of the weekend the other motivated about the ben- snow, and even some hotter I’m going through Hell Weekimprove their talent. girls follow a similar routine efits their hard work will bring. weather, but he never quit and end I want to just quit softball of waking up, running, hitting, Other people have different never lost sight of his goal. Next altogether, but it me makes practicing, eating and heading ideas about the effects of runtime you are inside enjoying the me better and it helps us bond back to bed. ning 500 miles in 50 days. “I am sight of snow through your winas a team. You’ve got girls out “Our coach wanted us to concerned about the amount dow, look around, and you may there that are at all different be mentally prepared because of stress it is going to put on see Konner Cool run by. levels. Some like my sister and we’re going to bigger tournahis body,” Erin Spreer, assistant
The freshman boys basketball team is 3-6 on the season. They have 10 games left to play.
‘Hell Weekend’ earns it’s name
Nick Bandy staff writer
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February 17, 2012 Manhattan High
Sports Notes Spring sports
Reed Wheeler staff writer Spring sports are beginning Feb. 27. Spring sports include tennis, baseball, girls soccer, girls swimming, softball, track, and boys golf The dates and locations the specific sport’s meetings will be decided by the coaches and will be said in the announcements. Not all sports will have a pre-season meeting. If you are interested in playing a spring sport will need to bring in a physical by Feb. 27 and contact the coach of the sport for more information.
Swim & dive Nick Bandy staff writer Manhattan High School’s divers, seniors Ryan Cady and sophomore Evan Olsen, may be low in numbers but they compete well week after week. Both divers competed at the Shawnee Mission Invitational two weeks ago after competing at a diving meet almost every week. Cady medaled at the State meet last year, placing eighth, and he has placed well this year and has won several meets. Last week, both swimmers and divers competed in the Manhattan Invitational. The Manhattan Invitational had 19 teams from all over the state and some of the best competition. It was the largest meet of the year besides the State meet. The divers competed on Jan. 27 at 6:30 p.m. and swimming portion of the meet started at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28. Both swimming and diving will take place at the Kansas State Natatorium.
Girls basketball The Manhattan High School girls basketball team went through a stretch of three games over the past few weeks. These games included Topeka Hayden, Salina Central and Seamen High School. During that stretch the Lady Indians went 2-1 improving their record to 15-2. Their only losses this season have come against Hutchinson and Salina Central. The Indians have been dominant during this season putting themselves in prime position to make a run in the State tournament. Sitting at 15-2, the Lady Indians have proven to be a dangerous team.
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