Zizzers compete in five meets in 12 days

The West Plains Zizzer Swim and Dive Team has had a busy start to their 2024 season with five meets in 12 days.

 

“We have a young team this year,” said Head Coach Ryan Smith. “We are looking to see individual growth by each swimmer and diver and see where that takes us as a team throughout this season.”

 

The team is composed of Juniors Caleb Kentner and Bryson Kittrell, and Sophomores Rhys Kerley, Dane Kirby, Tanner Land, and Alec Morrison. They are coached by Head Coach Ryan Smith, Assistant Coach Sheila Sparks, and Volunteer Dive Coach Kourtney Stockton.

 

The Zizzers opened at home with the Third Annual Zizzer Invitational held at the West Plains Civic Center Friday, August 30. Out of the 7 teams, they finished Second Place behind Poplar Bluff. Kerley earned two individual victories in the 200 and 400 Freestyle. Kentner earned the victory in 1-meter Diving, and the 400 Freestyle Relay of Kerley, Kittrell, Kirby, and Morrison won the final event of the meet. The Zizzers earned medals in 10 out of 11 individual events. The 200 Freestyle Relay of Kittrell, Kentner, Kerley, and Land earned the team’s first State Consideration Cut of the season.

 

At the All-Relays meet in Springfield on Tuesday, September 3, the 400 Freestyle Relay team of Kerley, Kittrell, Morrison, and Land earned this season’s 2nd State Consideration Cut with a 4:04.09. “This meet is just a fun intro meet to the season,” said Smith. “There are no points and no awards. Just a bunch of relays, some that aren’t competed in any other time throughout the season.”

 

The Marshfield Duals took place Thursday, September 5 at the Seymour YMCA. Land, in the 200 Individual Medley, and Morrison, in the 500 Freestyle had the highest finishes for the Zizzers with Second place finishes. This meet opened their dual meet season with a record of 2-3. They had wins against Marshfield and Seymour. Their losses came to Carthage, Camdenton, and Waynesville.

 

The Zizzers then traveled to Springfield on Saturday, September 7 for the Ozarks Invitational. The Zizzers finished 14th out of the 20 teams entered. Kerley was the top Zizzer finisher, almost earning a medal in the 500 Freestyle by finishing 7th place. Adding to the scoring were Kerley in the 200 Freestyle (16th place), Land in the 50 Freestyle (16th place), Kentner in 1-meter Diving (10th place), Kittrell in the 500 Freestyle (12th place), 200 Freestyle Relay of Land, Kentner, Kittrell, and Kerley (9th place), and the 400 Freestyle Relay of Kerley, Kittrell, Morrison, and Land (11th place). Morrison saw a huge time drop from last season in the 200 Individual Medley, dropping more than 22 seconds.

 

They ended back in Springfield for the Central (Springfield) Duals on Tuesday, September 10. The Zizzers took wins in 1-meter Diving by Kentner with a new high score of 143.40 for six dives and the 400 Free Relay with team members Land, Kentner, Kittrell, and Kerley. Land earned a massive time drop in the 200 Freestyle from last season by almost 20 seconds. The team went 3-2 on the night in the duals with wins over Marshfield, Logan-Rogersville, and Seymour and losses to Central (Springfield) and Lebanon.

 

“The team is showing so much improvement early in the season,” stated Smith. “I look forward to our upcoming meets.” Come support these boys at their final home meet Thursday, September 26 at the West Plains Civic Center. The meet will begin at 4:30. Adults are $2 and Students are $1 to get in.