Becoming the first girls to swim for Clarkston in the MHSAA Division I state finals did not come easily for juniors Kandice Keen and Amanda Hassett; sophomores Alyssa Vela and Kaitlyn Hassett; and freshmen Molli Simpson and Christine Seiple. They earned the right to swim at states with grueling August training sessions and practices before and after school throughout the season.
Clarkston qualified in the 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relays and in five individual events.
Vela, finished 15th overall in the 50 freestyle and also swam the 100 freestyle; was on the 200 medley relay with Seiple, Keen and Simpson; and teamed with Seiple and the Hassetts on the 400 freestyle relay.
Clarkston’s 200 freestyle relay team consisted of Seiple, the Hassetts and Simpson ? who as an individual competed in the 100 breaststroke.
Aside from her relay work, Keen participated in the 500 freestyle and 200 IM.
(Chock quote coming)
As they prepared for the meet, the girls emotions and expectations ran the gambit.
‘As captains, we felt like we had to be leaders ? Inside I was scared to death,? Keen said, referring to herself and Amanda Hassett.
‘As a freshman it was really scary, but all of our teammates all supported each other,? Seiple said.
Others found providence in their own past experiences and by putting the state finals in perspective.
?(The state finals) really wasn’t that nerve racking because in my opinion the only place we could go was up,? Amanda Hassett said.
‘You can’t be intimidated by the other girls; they are just as intimidated of you,? sophomore Alyssa Vela said.
Vela has been swimming since second grade and cut her competitive teeth in large USS competitive swimming events. This season has been a comeback campaign for her. When Vela slipped into the pool for preseason training this summer it was the first time she had swum in 14 and a half months due to a shoulder injury. While she was able to compete at a high level this season, Vela does not feel she is all the way back and says pain is ever present
‘I love swimming so much I don’t care about the pain anymore,? Vela said.
Dedication was a hallmark of the swim team this season, and continues in the newborn off-season.
‘I was back in (the pool) the next day after states,? said Keen.
Though Keen’s fellow state swimmers were planning on waiting until after Thanksgiving to start training for next year, all of them are planning on training year round to get back to states next year.
‘I felt like I needed to be back in the water,? Simpson said.
Helping hone and focus the girls off-season efforts is the Clarkston Sea Wolves program, a competitive team which acts as a feeder system for both the boys and girls varsity teams.
The Hassetts and Keen were founding members of the Sea Wolves seven years ago. Simpson and Seiple were introduced to competitive swimming through the Sea Wolves last year.
?(Chock) has been our coach since the beginning. (The training) has really evolved. It’s become harder and harder,? Kaitlyn Hassett said.
‘We wouldn’t have a (varsity) swim team without the Sea Wolves,? Simpson said.
‘Anyone who’s ever scored a point for Clarkston has come from the Sea Wolves,? Keen added.
With all of her state qualifiers coming back, Chock’s goal next year is to not only qualify more swimmers but also place on the state level.
Clarkston shared the OAA Division III title this year with Farmington Hills Harrison. Next year the Wolves will compete in the OAA DII.