The MC swimming/diving season is here, and the team is ready for the challenges ahead. Coach Tina Grunauer has high expectations for this year’s group of swimmers. ” I want to bring more kids to state this year and I want every kid to feel like he accomplished a lot.” Grunauer has been a coach for over eight years and at three different high schools including Maria and De La Salle.

The Caravan team, which started practice on Monday, November 30, already has set team and personal goals to accomplish this upcoming year. Team Captain Ryan Johnson ’16 is back with a vengeance after last year’s tough ending. “I want to turn MC swimming and diving into a better program as a whole.” Last year, the team and Coach Grunauer were 23 seconds off a third place title for sectionals, or one race away.

On the other side of the pool you have sophomore Eric Correa, the only diver at MC.  Correa started as a National Champion gymnast and was approached by Lake Central’s diving coach to consider transferring his skills to the pool. After training for months, Correa arrived at MC ready to begin his high school diving career.

Correa placed 3rd in the Catholic League and went to state last year, however didn’t place where he wanted to. “This is the year of redemption for me personally.” Correa changed club teams over the summer and is now diving with the top 16 divers in the state. “It is a really good feeling that I have some of the best divers in the state cheering for me”.

The swim team is excited and ready for its meet this week at St. Rita.  Coach Grunauer sees the meet as an opportunity where her team is at, and where every swimmer fits into the program.  “It is a great time to see who does better at different events and also to have fun, while (still) having a serious attitude about it.”

In addition to Johnson and Correa, the team’s returning members include juniors Jacob Williams, Quinn Kelly, Lono Gaines, Ricardo Montoya, Mickey Thorne, Steve McGhee, and Nick Dimas; sophomores Eric Correa, Hugh Devane, Vince Gallapo, Peyton Gomez, Dan Goosherst, Luke Lockard, Chris Montoya, Will Murphy, Marty Spring, Max Vandeveld, Isaiah Williams, and Matt Yoways. New swimmers this year are senior Chad Lukasik, junior Jackson Lockard, sophomores Liam Daniher and Jordan Singleton, and freshman Danny O’Connell and Xavier Smith. Also returning to assist Coach Grunauer with the team is MC art teacher Matt McGuire.