Lady Devils eager to make a splash this upcoming season

After last season’s performance under head coach Brad Schmied’s first season,  the Lady Devilfish are looking to accomplish more this upcoming season. Schmied’s goal last season was to have more swimmers qualify for state, and they accomplished that goal through determination and hard work by the swimmers. OHS also had a diver, Abby Warren who qualified for state. The Lady Devilfish smashed the record board with relay breaking records including the 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay, and the 400 freestyle relay under Julia Smith, Addison Callis, Paige Neal, and Abby Warren. Also, Julia Smith broke individual records including the 100 freestyle and the 100 butterfly. Addison Callis broke the 100 breast school record. Paige Neal dropped a bomb by earning her spot on the A relay, the fastest relay, at the first meet of the season; additionally, she  individually qualified for state in the 100 free and made it back for finals at state. These great performances last season will help get the momentum started for this season. Take your mark!

Last season just had one setback. The Lady Devilfish lost to OCHS’ girls by a mere two points from the city county swim meet because of a disqualification. OCHS have secured that city county title for the past four years. They did not let that setback determine the season. The Lady Devilfish gave OCHS girls revenge at the regional championship meet  beating them by fifty-three points. The Lady Devils finished fourth place behind Bowling Green, Greenwood, and South Warren. The Lady Devils took down Bowling Green, the region champions, at the state championship meet beating them by sixteen points. This season was the very first time OHS beat Bowling Green a long time rival in so many sports. They Lady Devilfish ended up finishing twelfth place at the state swim championships. An impressive performance from such a young team!

This season with the addition of Samantha Phillips to the team will give the Lady Devilfish a significant boost. Phillips transferred last year from Daviess County High School, but she couldn’t swim because of KHSAA eligibility rules. While Phillips was a swimmer on Daviess County, she qualified for state four years in a row individually and a member of each relay. She has also made it back for finals at the state championships individually and on relays. As well as a Devilfish, Phillips is  a member of the USA swim team Owensboro Marlins which is a year round swim team. In her success swimming for the Marlins, she has been named high point winner at the Kentucky State swimming championships, been chosen by Kentucky swimming to compete on the Kentucky zone team at the Southern zone swim championships, and she also has qualified for the sectional championships, championship meets around the nation. She will definitely make a splash this season.

While most high schoolers are hitting the snooze button a couple of times, the Devilfish will hit the pool to prepare for a great swim season. As they drag into school with wet hair and goggles lines around their eyes, wish them well on what will be a great season.