HCHS set to make big splash this season

The HCHS swim team is set to begin their new season Aug. 30 at Sioux City West High School with a new face joining the team this season, as Stephenie Dale will be the new head coach.

“I am extremely excited to be a swim coach again,” Dale said. “It's been my favorite sport my whole life.”

Before accepting the job here, Dale coached a variety of ages on different teams, but she had the most work with middle school swimming for girls for Lewis and Clark Middle School in Omaha. She was a Trailblazer for five years, but went to be a Monarch at Papillion La Vista High for one year. 

While coming to a new town and starting a new job is not easy for anyone and sometimes change for some people can be scary, Dale understands the challenges behind it, but doesn’t shy away from it either.

“This is a fresh start for me coming to the district new, so I'm looking forward to all of it,” Dale added. “I know it will take a lot of work, but these girls have already proven the work is worth it.”

Dale has already had the opportunity to meet the girls on the team, which consist of Ari Daniels, Emily Lee, Elaina Vrchoticky, Emeri Smith and Aurora Miller.

“We had a meet and greet dinner over the summer where I got to meet most of the team,” she added. “We also had the opportunity to have summer workouts. These are a great group of girls, and it's going to be a good season for us.”

Dale attended Fort Calhoun High School in Nebraska and developed a passion for swimming.

“My high school didn't have a team,” she said. “I swam with the Omaha YMCA my entire swimming career. It was the equivalent to club swimming at the time. A handful of my teammates and coaches work or have worked for Omaha GOAL.”

With a group of already talented swimmers, Dale has talked about ways of helping the girls increase their skills and become even better swimmers.

“Giving them opportunities to work on turns and pull outs for when we compete at pools with yards,” Dale said. “I enjoy various workouts and asking for workout ideas from my current/former colleagues.”

 
 

 

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