NC swimming regional preview: Can the Myers Park girls’ team continue its dynasty?
Ben Sharrer isn’t necessarily predicting the dynasty will continue.
But he said his Myers Park High girls’ swimming team is not short on talent again this year.
The Mustangs open their bid for a fourth consecutive state championship this weekend, competing in the West 4A Regional swim and diving meet at Mecklenburg Aquatic Center.
Charlotte’s uptown swim venue will be taken over by high school athletes, with diving championships Friday, and swim regional competition Friday and Saturday.
The first step toward winning a fourth consecutive 4A girls’ state title is at this weekend’s regional, and Myers Park appears to be equal to the task.
“This is a very good team,” said Sharrer, the 24-year-old coach who succeeded veteran Mimi Goudes last year, when she stepped away after 15 seasons at the helm of the Myers Park program.
Sharrer said the Mustangs are particularly strong in the relays, as is customary for Myers Park.
“The top girls are insanely fast,” he said. “And we’ve got flexibility. I can switch girls around from event to event, and we remain strong.”
The Mustangs’ big name is junior Avery Klamforth, the defending state champion in the 200-yard individual medley. Klamforth, a University of Texas commit, also finished second last year in the 100 breaststroke.
“Avery is incredible,” Sharrer said. “I can put here in just about any event, and she steps up.”
And there’s distance swimmer Katherine Guenther, a sophomore who ranks among the state’s best in the 500-yard freestyle.
But a lot of the buzz around this Myers Park team focuses on a pair of freshmen — Karina Plaza and Emma Grace Richardson.
The name “Plaza” might be familiar to swim fans, as Karina’s older sister, Sofia, was a Myers Park standout who graduated last year and now competes at the University of Florida.
Plaza is the No. 1-ranked swimmer in the state in the 100 backstroke and ranked fourth in the 200 IM. Richardson has been a standout in the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly.
Yes, it’s a wealth of riches at Myers Park.
“The two freshmen are sensational,” Sharrer said. “Their times have been unbelievable.”
Sharrer said he doesn’t think his team is weighed down by the pressure of trying to win a fourth straight state title.
“They have a lot of confidence,” he said. “They’ve always focused on winning.”
Besides, he added, they’re not newcomers to being in the spotlight.
“A number of our swimmers have competed in major national events, even the Olympic Trials,” he said. “They’ve been exposed to pressure-type events.”
And, he added, “They really enjoy swimming and being a team. This is a group that really has fun doing this.”
It’s not as if the rest of the swimming world will stay out of the pool this weekend.
N.C. Prep Swimming has Charlotte Catholic ranked as the No. 1 dual meet team in Class 4A, and the Cougars are likely to give Myers Park stiff competition this weekend — along with other traditional powers, like Marvin Ridge and Hough.
And Providence High swimmer Joslyn Bolton is favored to capture the 50 and 100 freestyle events, which would give the Panthers plenty of team points.
Defending boys’ West Regional champ Marvin Ridge is the favorite there again, with Myers Park, Ardrey Kell and Providence expected to put up the toughest competition.
Lake Norman Charter is the defending boys’ and girls’ team champion in 3A. Pine Lake Prep appears to be the favorite in the 1A-2A competition.
Schedule
The West Regional swim and diving championships are Friday and Saturday at Mecklenburg Aquatic Center.
Diving competition for the 4A, 3A and 1A/2A meets is at 12:30 p.m. Friday.
The 1A/2A swim events are at 5 p.m. Friday. Swim competition in 3A begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. And the 4A swim competition begins at 4 p.m. Saturday.