PI swimmers under new management
New coach was former standout in pool for Wildcats
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — After 15 years at the helm, Joyce Price stepped away from the pool as the coach of the Presque Isle High School swim team. That job is now in the hands of Erica Hemphill, who is no stranger to Wildcat swimming.
A 2012 graduate of Presque Isle High School and a four-year swimmer, Hemphill has established school records in five individual events, and is part of two relay teams with team records as well.
Hemphill’s goal for the upcoming season is to help as many of her athletes qualify to compete in the state championships in Class B, which will be held in Orono at the University of Maine’s Wallace Pool. The boys’ competition will take place Feb. 14, while the girls’ will be Feb. 16
The athletes have the opportunity to qualify in two individual events as well as up to three relays, and this is done by swimming a time in competition which meets the standard established by the Maine Principals’ Association.
This year’s Presque Isle team is rather small in numbers, with a large contingent graduating from the 2013-14 squad. The Wildcats have a difficult situation as no feeder program exists to bring swimmers into the pool. Added to that was the loss of both the Presque Isle Indoor Pool and the outdoor pool.
With five girls and three boys, the squad is small in numbers, but big in effort. The added benefit of a squad of this size will be the personalized attention each swimmer will be afforded by Hemphill.
Returning seniors on this year’s squad are Matthew Burtt and Olivia Goulet. Both will bring experience and leadership to the pool and will be of great assistance to Hemphill. Also making up the squad are junior Kyle Kilcollins, sophomore Leigh Buck and freshmen Libbee Currie, Katrina Dakin, Elizabeth Deschenes and Madelyn Wing.
Fort Fairfield junior Alexis Coiley also practices and travels with the Presque Isle team as the lone Tiger team member.
The Wildcats have completed meets this season at Bangor and Ellsworth and at home against Orono at Limestone. Upcoming meets include a trip to Hampden and against Foxcroft at Limestone, against Washington Academy at Limestone, against Caribou at Presque Isle and the PVC Championships at Orono Feb. 7.
“Matt and Leigh have already both qualified in two events,” explained Hemphill, “while Madelyn has qualified as well. Alexis is a qualifier in several events also. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the season brings for the Wildcat swim team.”
On Saturday in Ellsworth, PI took on both the hosts and George Stevens Academy of Blue Hill.
Highlights for the Wildcats were Wing’s win in the 200 free with a time of 2:16.72 and her second-place performance in the 100 fly in 1:12.04. She also teamed with Goulet, Deschenes and Currie to place second in the 200 free relay in 2:20.2 and fourth in the 200 medley relay in 2:40.04
Deschenes was the runner-up in the 100 breast in 1:50.92, Goulet was third in the 500 free in 7:44.72 and Currie took fifth in the 100 free in 1:21.2.
For the boys, Buck was second in the 50 free in 25.33 seconds and Burtt was third in the 200 I.M. in 2:36.65. In the 100 free, Burtt was second in 57.15 and Buck third in 57.66.
