Featuring a senior-heavy squad in 2024, the makeup for this year’s Macomb High girls swim team and second year coach Tonya Hamer is decidedly much different.
Nine seniors graduated from last year’s team, while others have moved out of the district.
The end result is a squad with 10 total members, including just three returnees.
“We have a very young team who are learning the fundamentals,” said Hamer. “How a swim meet is run, what the different events are, what the different strokes are. But we’re thrilled to have a lot of new members join us this year.”
Rylee Mackey is the lone senior and team captain. She is in her third year with the program.
Hamer stated that Mackey is “a strong freestyle swimmer who provides positive energy for the rest of her teammates. She is a good motivator and leader.”
The other two returnees are sophomores.
Hannah Zhang has previous experience with the YMCA Dolphin swim program.
Her focus is on the breaststroke.
“She is a quiet, but determined swimmer,” said Hamer.
Lucy Buchanan is another product from the Dolphin program with a focus on the butterfly.
“She working on strength and stamina,” said Hamer.
The remainder of the swimmers are in their first year of the high school program.
Freshman Kallie Merrill is another swimmer from the Dolphin program.
The program has also conducted a summer swim camp in recent years where freshman Lilian Goc has attended the past two years.
The roster is rounded out by juniors Catlyn Cousins, Ridley Lewis and Anna Norris-Meads. sophomore Jazmyn Nateras and Leah Waldrop.
“They are joining us with various levels of swim enjoyment, knowledge and familiarity with the pool,” said Hamer. “We are doing a lot of fundamentals development with them.”
“Our philosophy, because we don’t have a grade school program or a middle school program, is that swimming is for everyone,” she added. “If you want to join your freshman year and you have no experience, that’s OK. We want to work with you.”
“It’s a lot about being a part of a team, but also that individual growth and how your times are cut from meet to meet. Your personal achievements,” Hamer stated.
Though team scores are kept at many meets, Hamer said the most important aspect is continued individual improvement.
“While the points matter and winning feels great, it also feels great to win against yourself or to see your teammates improving,” she said. “That’s where the part of being a team really comes into play. We are all rooting for each other to do our best.”
“The competitions are great for the girls to get an idea of how the swim meets are run,” added Hamer. “When you’re placed in your lane next to somebody that has a time that’s close to you, that’s a great motivator once you’re in that race mode.”
Unlike many sports, swimming is an activity that can be enjoyed long after a person’s school days are done.
“My hope is that at the end of their four years of high school swimming that they continue,” said Hamer. “Be it swimming for their university, or joining a club swim team or just getting out there and using it for exercise.”
“Swimming is definitely a lifetime sport,” she added.
Entering her second season as head coach, Hamer feels much more at ease.
“I have been able to take what I learned last year and have a stronger knowledge of the sport this year,” said Hamer.
“I still have a lot of learning to do,” she added. “But I feel stronger this year and have more confidence in myself as a coach.”
Annaliese Goc, who Hamer noted “she couldn’t do the job without” also enters her third year with the program as an assistant.
Goc was a former MHS swimmer who graduated in 2023.
