HIGH SCHOOL SWIMMING: TIGERS SEE SMOOTHER WATER SAHEAD AFTER TURBULENT YEAR

Cape Girardeau Central High School boys swimming coach Dayna Powell hopes she doesn't ever again have to experience a season like the Tigers had last year.

Things started off bad when a problem with the bubble at the Cape Central Pool forced the Tigers to practice elsewhere for much of the preseason. Then during the campaign, the Tigers went just 2-7 in dual meets for their first losing record in the previous 11 years of the program.

"It was a tough year," acknowledged Powell. "The problem with the pool hurt and we didn't have one of our better teams anyway."

But Powell emphasized that all of those 1999 troubles are now behind the Tigers. Their home pool is fine, they have 10 seniors -- their second-largest group ever -- and things are definitely looking up.

"We look 100 percent better than a year ago," Powell said. "We only graduated one senior last year and I know this year's seniors are really looking forward to the season. We're excited. Things are definitely going to be a lot better."

"I feel like we have a good mix of new people and some that have been around before. We're looking to qualify at least two relays and several individuals for state."

The Tigers had just one state qualifier last year as Jon Lowrance made the cut in the 100 breaststroke. Lowrance is back as he heads up a solid senior class.

Among the other seniors are two competitors who have spent four seasons in the program: Stratton Tingle and Justin Hawkins.

Other returning seniors are Gabe Austin, Casey Dwyre, Dustin Nelson, Stephen Stahr, Tony Kiel and Andy Yoffie, while Paul Miller is out for the first time.

Central has only two juniors in returnee Travis Jones and first-year swimmer John Higgins.

Returning among the sophomores are Andrew Moreton, Tyler Thompson and Salman Khan, while first-year sophomores are Jake Fish, Ryan Keller and Kyle Meadows.

Powell also has high hopes for several freshmen, led by Sam Maguire, who figures to be one of the Tigers' top swimmers in his rookie season. Other freshmen are Cecil Quinn, Kevin Thomas, Adam Moore and Jackson Bollinger.

The Tigers open the season Nov. 28 at home against perennial powerhouse Lafayette and a short time later face defending state champion Parkway South.

"We have a really tough schedule, but I think that's how you get better," said Powell.

Powell said she is excited to have assistant coach Kyle Henke, a former standout high school swimmer in St. Louis who is a graduate student at Southeast Missouri State University.

"I think Kyle is really going to help us," she said.