The Oakville High School varsity boys’ swim team welcomes a new crop of younger athletes this year, a phenomenon head coach Dan Schoenfeldt believes will take the team to a new level. Photo by Bill Milligan.

By Stephen Glover
For the Call

A youth movement is underway with the Oakville Senior High varsity boys’ swimming and diving team.

And head coach Dan Schoenfeldt couldn’t be happier.

“Our numbers are fantastic,” Schoenfeldt said. “We have around 25 guys and a lot of youngsters this year. About two-thirds of them are underclassmen, so we’re really excited about that.”

The team had 19 swimmers last year, and only nine the year before.

Returning to the Tigers this season is senior Christian Boll, who placed 14th last season in the 100-yard backstroke at the Missouri Class 1 Swimming and Diving Championships with a time of 58.67.

Schoenfeldt believes that Boll should meet as well as exceed his expectations for the 2018 season.

“Christian is just a very hard worker and absolutely loves swimming,” Schoenfeldt said.

“He’s a great teammate and is very supportive of his teammates. He has some high expectations of himself this season, and we do too. I think he’s ready to roll for his season year.”

The Tigers’ head coach also has high hopes for sophomore divers Steven Boaz and Alex Waller.

Both came into last season with zero competitive diving experience.

Yet Boaz actually qualified for the state championships and took 24th overall with 117.65 points.

“Both are very good divers, and I expect both of them to qualify for state this year,” Schoenfeldt said.

“They started diving together at their subdivision pool and it just clicked for them, and they really enjoyed it.

“Both guys are very athletic and not afraid to push each other in trying new things.”

Schoenfeldt is hoping that the youth movement continues for the Tigers, as they have enough swimmers and divers to fill a lineup card.

That means that they won’t be giving away points to their opponents in dual meets.

“Every year you go in hoping that you have good numbers, and we’re finally going to be able to fill up a lineup this year,” Schoenfeldt said.

“We’re really hoping that this growth spurt hangs around for our team.”

The Tigers opened up the 2018 season on Tuesday, Aug. 28, against St. John Vianney.