Sydney Chambers

Staff Writer

    The Lone Oak High School Swim team is preparing for another great season.  This year, the team will travel to Bowling Green and Murray, along with competing at the Paducah Athletic Club here in Paducah.  Our team’s first meet coming up will be December 3rd at the Paducah Athletic Club.

    The team practices three times a week in 6 lanes at the Paducah Athletic Club.  Jason Gravens is the coach of this team, with assistance from Buffy Fell.  Coach Gravens has been the head coach since May of this year, and has been coaching competitive swimming since 1995.  Buffy Fell has helped out with the Paducah and LOHS swim team for many years.

    Let me explain how the scoring works at a competition, so when I later report times for swim you will not be as confused.  When you a part of a swim team, it’s more of you’re there with a group that supports you and you practice with.  Races are competed in 4 different stroke styles: freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, and breaststroke.  There is also a medley style in which four people on a team swim one of each type of stroke.  While you compete usually solo, as you place in more races, the higher your team is ranked.  You can compete in short distance races and long distance races.  Awards are given to outstanding individuals rather than the single team “winner.”   

    Many are getting extremely excited for the upcoming swim season.  Carson Oakley (12) says her favorite part of swimming is kicking everyone’s butt in her favorite stroke, the butterfly.  Last year, Carson Price (12) placed first in many races he competed in for the swim team.  I, for one, look forward to seeing the team race to the end of the pool and bring home the pride of winning.