Wise swim followers say a successful showing by the United States in swimming in an Olympic year is almost always followed by an uptick in swim participation. So it's no surprise to see increased swimming numbers following last year's Michael Phelps-dominated Olympics.
One high school program experience strong growth is Pewaukee, in the western suburbs of Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's "Focus on Swimming" feature this week highlighted the girls swim team at Pewaukee; see here:
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/preps/59687192.html
Pewaukee now has 47 swimmers, a sizeable number for a Div. 2 team. That includes 20 swimmers new to the sport, a pretty good sign of the sport's growing popularity. Pewaukee qualified one swimmer last year for state -- current sophomore Lacey Leist in the 100 back -- and also returns all of its swimmers from its medley and 200 free relays that could contend for state qualifying berths this year.
Making Pewaukee's growth all the more remarkable is that the school lacks a pool; swimmers have to commute to nearby St. John's Northwestern to practice.
"I call them the most devoted high school swimmers in the state," Pewaukee coach Angie Gatzow told the Journal-Sentinel.
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Pewaukee has a very bright future which we hope includes championship swimmers and a new pool! The district has an 8 lane pool on the upcoming Nov. 3rd referendum. The pool will be for athletic and community use. Today, Pewaukee swimmers train side by side with Arrowhead swimmers in the popular, year-round Lake Country Phoenix club program. There is an outstanding feeder Ribbons program that has taught hundreds of kids to swim. So look for great swimming to come out of Pewaukee in the years to come!
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