In athletic pursuits, rookie phenoms are nothing new. But in high school athletics, rarely are those rookies seniors. The 1997-98 Flathead winter athletic teams breaks those trends. Swimmers Lindsay Hopkins and Aaron Ober, and wrestler Dan Polk are all rookies in their respective sports and have enjoyed early success. In year’s past, Hopkins had played on the volleyball team, but decided to try out for swimming her senior year. After her first meet, Hopkins was only one second away from the lowest qualifying time for state last season in the 50 meter freestyle. “I wasn’t very happy with volleyball in the past,” said Hopkins. “I wanted a white letter, and to get that, I needed a winter varsity sport.” Hopkins isn’t a stranger to the pool. She swam from fourth to sixth grade, and said the thing that kept her from swimming in the past were the 5:45 practices. But now, Hopkins says, “I’ve adjusted.” Last Saturday, Hopkins scored a 29-second time in the 50 meter freestyle, and her leg of the 200 meter relay team was equal to last year’s qualifying time. “I don’t regret not swimming,” said Hopkins. “I’m looking forward to getting to know the swimmers better. They are a phenomenal group.” Ober has been impressive in his first year in the water as well. Competing in three events — the 50 meter freestyle, the 100 meter relay and the 100 meter breast stroke — Ober finished just three seconds off last year’s lowest state-qualifying time — a three seconds that Ober feels will be easily accomplished. “My flip turn was terrible, my stroke was decent, but I wasn’t wearing a cap,” said Ober. “Pulling a sub-27 time wouldn’t be that hard.” As with Hopkins, Ober had prior experience swimming when he was in fifth grade which, “taught the basics.” Ober’s main motivation for joining the swim team was to condition for track, a sport that Ober has participated in since his freshman year. “I wanted to supplement my running with a cross-training sport,” said Ober. “It turned out to be much more fun than just preparing for track.” Unlike Hopkins, Ober regrets not joining the swim team earlier. “I should have started two years earlier,” said Ober. “I’d go to state for sure. Had I swam my freshman year, I’d be doing great.” As opposed to the pair of swimmers, Polk tried wrestling for the first time because for the first time he wasn’t “burnt out after football.” In his first meet, Polk place second in the heavyweight division. “I hope to keep winning and help our team win a state championship,” said Polk. “I hope to place at the state tournament.” Polk regrets not trying out for wrestling earlier, believing that more experience would have helped his chances on the mats. During his second meet, Polk was disqualified for fighting, something that Polk believes wouldn’t have happened had he been a veteran wrestler. “I know I wouldn’t have been in a fight (If I had more experience),” said Polk. “I would have known the moves and not just tried to power him down.” Polk also appreciates the efforts that his coaches have made to help him on the team. “All the coaches are great,” said Polk. “Coach Dennehy, coach Armstrong and coach Anderson have all helped me out a lot.” |
