Wildcats swimmers ready to make a splash
The Oak Ridge High School swim team will dive into the new season with a youthful roster, a returning state qualifier and plenty of potential.
Wildcats head coach Alicia Williamson, beginning her third season at the helm, said the program has approximately 35 to 40 swimmers between its high school and middle school teams.
The Wildcats will lean on junior Dorian Volcansek, the team’s lone returning state qualifier, to help lead the way.
“The only state qualifier we have back this year is Dorian Volcansek, a junior,” Williamson said. “I believe he swam the 100-yard fly last year.”
Oak Ridge also returns senior Olivia Foy-McDaniel, who hopes to make an impact after missing last season because of injuries.
“We have one senior. It’s a girl, and she does have promise, but she’s coming off several injuries from last year,” Williamson said of Foy-McDaniel. “She didn’t swim last year. She swims the 100 back and 200 free.”
With five seniors lost to graduation, Williamson will rely heavily on younger swimmers as the Wildcats look to build experience and develop talent throughout the season.
“We just have a fairly young team,” Williamson said. “We graduated five seniors last year, and we’re sophomore- and freshman-heavy.”
Williamson did not identify other promising young swimmers by name. A complete roster of Oak Ridge swimmers was unavailable by deadline.
Adrian Etheridge | ORHS Sports Media
Striking success
Oak Ridge High School bowler Halie Campbell follows through on her delivery, sending the ball down the lane for a strike during Tuesday’s match.