Making waves: Mules show improvement in second meet

Poplar Bluff's Kelsey Olsen competes in the 200-meter freestyle event during Monday's swim meet against Cape Central. Olsen finished the event in 3:09. (Paul Davis/DAR)

By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer

The Poplar Bluff Lady Mules swim team was a bit rusty for its first meet of the season but Monday was different.

Despite a 115-55 loss to Cape Central, senior Kayla Huett said the team was more focused.

"A lot of the girls were really scared the first meet," Huett said. "I think a lot more were ready to go, more confident in themselves than the first meet."

Despite being more prepared, there is still room for improvement.

"We are still not as strong as I want to be," Lady Mules coach Beth Lewis said. "It is kind of hard getting all the girls to practice everyday so it is really hard to practice relays and relay starts and to get everybody competitive all at the same time."

Kayla Huett picked up the only first place finish for the Lady Mules in the 50-freestyle with a time of 30.50 seconds. Cassandra Darnell got second in the event with a time of 34.06 and third in the 100-breaststroke with a time of 1:37.79.

"I think Cassandra did really well," Lewis said. "She is kind of coming out of nowhere."

Lewis noted improvement in Monday's meet as compared to earlier in the season, specifically, Kristina Baker. Baker finished fourth in the 500 freestyle with a time of 7:50.69 and fourth in the 100-breastroke with a time of 1:49.59.

"She has really got her head on straight this time," Lewis said. "I think she was a little nervous last time."

The other Lady Mules senior, Anna Lampe finished second in the 100-freestyle while Jade Morgan and Hannah Crites also picked up second places, Morgan in the 100-backstroke with a time of 1:28.25 and Crites in the 100-butterfly with a time of 1:21.56.

Poplar Bluff sophomore Kristina Baker swims to a fourth place finish in the 100-meter breaststroke during Monday's meet against Cape Central at the Black River Coliseum. (Paul Davis/DAR)

The roster only has nine swimmers on it this season. Although the team has had nine in previous seasons, it has never started with this few. Because of the small number, some swimmers are in events they are a bit unfamiliar with.

"You have to work with what you have," Lewis said. "That is kind of what we are doing right now."

Even with a short roster, the swimmers are doing what is asked of them.

"They are getting points, they are doing what they are supposed to be doing, I don't expect them to be super strong," Lewis said. "They are getting the job done."

The Lady Mules need to be more aggressive as the season goes on, Lewis said.

"We need a lot more fire," Lewis said. "We are too nice in the water.

"There is definetly a different attitude when you go somewhere else. There is a lot more adrenaline pumping because of nerves and stuff like that, they definitely go faster."

Wednesday's meet has been moved to Perryville.