To get a sense of how hard the Lake Orion Liquid Lightning swim team works in practice consider this: In their fall/winter season 92 team records have been broken.
Granted, a lot of these records have been broken multiple times over the course of the season, but this just show the improvement of the team as a whole.
‘These kids are constantly improving their times and over time those ribbons, awards and metals come,? said parent Bill Booth.
For 16 team members, those ribbons, awards and metals came this past weekend when LOHS hosted the 12 and under state meet.
Seventeen other team members will get their chance in the 13-18 finals at Jenison High School in less than two weeks.
That makes 33 state swimmers for the nearly 100 member team.
The winter season is the biggest for the year round program, which began back in the late 1990s.
‘The basis of this program is to be a feeder program not just at this high school, but at all high schools,? said coach Phil Hoffmeyer, in his second full year with the team.
The team currently has members from Lapeer, Rochester, Oxford, Clarkston, Royal Oak, and, of course, Lake Orion.
Team members range in age from five to 18 and swim at skill levels from pre-competative to levels one through four, based on the determination of the coaching staff.
Booth and Hoffmeyer note that the program has something for everyone.
‘The top groups practice two hours a night in the fall and winter,? Hoffmeyer said.
Booth said that one of the program’s unique features is its flexibility. They understand that students have other activities throughout the course of the school year and have different practice times available whenever possible.
Practice is available five days a week during this time of year, but expands to include some weekend time and a.m. and p.m. time in the summer.
‘We just want to offer as much to the community and surrounding areas as possible,? Booth said.
The Lake Orion Liquid Lightning squad sent 16 team members to the 12 & Under Championship Meet recently held at LOHS.
The team finished 36th out of 57 teams with 44 points.
Drew Fritsch led the team scoring 16 points by placing in the top 16 in five of his six events. He was 40th among the 331 male swimmers.
Ronnie Booth placed 54th among 452 female swimmers and scored six points.
The 11-12 girls 200-yard medley relay team of Sarah Beargie, Allison Boyle, Amanda Ribitch and Booth placed ninth, earning 18 points.
The 11-12 boys 200-yard freestyle relay team of Manny Tapia, Ben Limb, Kramer Kamp and Fritsch earned four points for their 15th place finish.
The team also has many high schoolers join on in the spring and summer. These swimmers work on their own things, but also serve as valuable role models and teachers to the younger team members.
Hoffmeyer expects some of the high schoolers to help with an upcoming stroke clinic in the natatorium. That clinic runs from April 3-13 and registration is from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on April 3 & 4.
Registration for the spring and summer seasons is also coming soon. More information on any sessions or clinics, as well as practice schedules, visit the team’s website at www.liquidlightning.org.