Mount Gilead swimming coach Dina Snow says that, due to having a small team, her main goals this year will have to do with individual performances.
The Indians do return five letter-winners, three of whom are returning after district-qualifying seasons. All three are on the boys’ team. Evan Zmuda, a record-holder in multiple events, advanced to districts in both relays and individual events.
Casey Conrad, who holds the record in the 100 fly, advanced to districts in that event, as well as on relays. Gavin Robinson also advanced to districts as part of a relay.
Also returning are Zack Clark and Cassandra Snopik from the girls’ team.
The team has a number of newcomers, many of whom have competed on MG’s summer swim team. Eric Mowery, Tyler Knight, Adriana Tinch, Kelsey Kneipp and Emily Hanft are all expected to contribute to the varsity team.
The team will be without a number of acclaimed swimmers from last year’s squad, having graduated four important members.
Erin Zmuda was a district qualifier and held multiple records in relays and individual events. Both Logan Conrad and Kurtis Brown advanced to districts in relays and were relay record holders, while Colton Long was a four-year varsity competitor.
“We’ll try to return relays to districts,” said Snow. “We’re mainly working on individual improvement due to the small size of the team.”
With the move to the KMAC from the MOAC, MG’s conference situation has undergone a dramatic change, as the new conference has no other swim teams.
“We will have a championship meet made up of other swim teams in north central Ohio, but the kids won’t get the recognition they did in the MOAC,” said Snow.
