By Jim Newell
Review Staff Writer
The LOHS Girl’s Swimming and Diving team looks to continue the success of the past, hoping to challenge for the league title and send its swimmers to the state meet.
“The 2016-2017 Girls Lake Orion Swimming and Diving team is off to a great start,” said Head Coach Darin Abbasse.
“The team opened their season by participating in the annual Wayne State Relay Invitational Aug. 30, winning the meet for the third year in a row.”
The dragon swimmers and divers were led by Senior Captains, Amanda Keller, Sarah Hennings, Lindsey Brent and Zoe Quinn, he said.
The dragons then opened up their OAA Red Division dual meet season on the road against North Farmington on Sept. 1, with a solid victory, defeating the raiders by a score of 102-84.
The dragons were on the road again, falling to Birmingham Seaholm Sept. 8, giving the team a record of 1-1 in the OAA Red Division.
“Our Performance this year has been very good. Everyone is working very hard in practice and competitions to perform for the team. We are 1-2 in the OAA Red and look forward to another week of competition against West Bloomfield,” Abbasse said.
“The team needs to continue working hard in practice learning how to race and then finish their races. Last week against Birmingham Groves the team did a great job on being competitive and not giving up throughout the meet,” Abbasse said.
The dragons have a few returning All-State swimmers from last year’s team, led by seniors Sarah Hennings and Zoe Quinn, junior Elianna Ritt and sophomore Claire Abbasse.
“Additional swimmers and divers that are returning this year and will be athletes to look for are freshmen Olivia Cassise, sophomore Emily Denier, juniors Colleen Campbell, Hannah Quinn, Megan Buckner and senior Rachel Pozzo,” Abbasse said.
“Our goal is always to stay in the top 3 of the OAA Red Division and qualify as many athletes for the Oakland County Championships and State Championships,” Abbasse said.
The Lady Dragon swimmers next take to the starting blocks at 6 p.m. Sept. 22 at home against West Bloomfield High School.