By MIKE KEMMETER
of The Gazette
After several years of finishing second or third in the Wisconsin Valley Conference, the Stevens Point Area Senior High boys swimming team is shooting for the top of the mountain.
The Panthers have no seniors but a handful of returning letter winners and a large roster could help SPASH overtake Wausau East and Rhinelander, the other top teams in the conference.
"Yes, definitely," SPASH coach Rich Burhite said when asked if his team can contend. "We have a shot at it. We've come close the last five years.
"We're going to have to do all of the strokes. We have to put people in what aren't their favorite events. They'll have to do it for the team."
The Panthers have seven returning letterwinners - juniors Ryan Burhite, Toby Koy, Jacob Nantell, Jon Ronzani, Oliver Todryk and David Trautschold; and sophomore Ted Conachan.
Junior James Maher and sophomores Christ Hosking, Terry McDemott and Brian Zdroik saw some action in varsity competition last season.
Eric Bakken, David Blemer, Ted Ceplina, Cole Corrigan, Josh Garski, Philip Hope, Jamie Koy and Sam Selle are the team's new sophomores. Matt Koehler, Ryan Lavanger, Josh Siebert and Luke Timm are the team's freshmen.
Burhite has two assistant coaches - Justin Stoffel (a former SPASH swimmer) and Dan Milbrath (a four-year swimmer at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point).
"We're going to be very strong in the conference and most of our invitationals because of our numbers," Burhite said. "We're one of the bigger teams in the conference and one of the bigger in the state, except for teams that combine schools.
"They are a good group of guys to work with. They've tried everything we've asked them to."