Flathead continues proud tradition with opening win at home

By Jack Long

Paul Stelter leaving the Flathead High swim team seemed a bit like Tommy Lasorda leaving the Los Angles Dodgers — seemingly unthinkable. But last year marked the end of Stelter’s contract and at mid-season, Arizona native Neil Virtue became the new head swimming coach.

“It was a pretty smooth transition,” said senior Andy Christofferson. “Paul was there the whole season, but very gradually let Neil take over.”

Proof of the smooth transition was evident Dec. 3, when the FHS swim team topped the competition, winning their only home meet of the season.

“We stuck together,” said junior Andy Schottelkorb. “Things are going really well.”

Despite the coaching change, Flathead should prove to have one of the strongest teams in the state, and the  largest boys team in Montana, said Christofferson.

Returning senior swimmers Seth Fraser (200 Free, 500 Free), Steve Satterly (50 Free, 100 Free), Chris Hetrick (200 IM, 100 Fly) and Christofferson (50 Free, 100 Breast) will head up the boys team, as well as strong field of younger swimmers including Schottelkorb and sophomore Dan diStafano, who finished third in the 100 meter back as a freshman. First year swimmer senior Aaron Ober will compete as well.

“I think everyone on the team can be at least in the top six in the state,” said Christofferson. “By state we’ll be the best we can possibly be.”

In addition to a strong boys program, Flathead returns a veteran nucleus of girls swimmers, including all but one member from the state-record-setting relay team of last year. The team, consisting of seniors Amanda Hartman, Kristin Rygg and sophomore Jenni Nerison, set a new state record in the 400 freestyle relay with a time of 3:47.16, shattering the previous record by six seconds.

“It would be tough to do again,” said Hartman. “But, if we focused on it, I think we could do it.”

The Flathead squad should be among the deepest and largest in state AA with  more than 50 swimmers this year — including a surprising number of first-time senior swimmers.

“I’m excited,” said diStefano. “Our new swimmers are very talented.”