CHARLOTTESVILLE — What the Eastern Hancock girls swimming roster lacks in size, it makes up for with its experience.
The Royals enter the 2023-24 season with a lineup of just five girls, but each return from last year’s team of nine that won both the Eastern Hancock Invite and the Indian Creek Invitational, and placed eighth at the New Palestine Sectional.
“While the loss of two of our seniors this year will impact us, I think that the experience we have coming into this season will help offset any steps we would take backwards,” Eastern Hancock head coach Mike Dolence said. “The girls have set their goals and are ready to go after them this year.”
The Royals enter the season without a few key members from last year’s team. Cora McDaniel and Lexi Spoon both graduated, and foreign exchange student Noelle Weimann is no longer with the team.
McDaniel placed eighth in the 500-meter freestyle at the sectional and was a member of both the 200 free and 400 free relays that earned podium finishes at the sectional.
Spoon was part of the 200 free with McDaniel and along with Weimann was part of the 200 medley relay team that placed eighth at the sectional.
While the departure of the trio hurts, the Royals bring back various top-eight sectional swimmers.
Junior Sophia Dolence placed seventh in the 100 backstroke and eighth in the 100 butterfly, and was a member of two relay teams.
Along with Dolence, sophomore Sarah Ebert returns as a member of last year’s 200 and 400 free relay team.
Junior Megan Adkins joins the duo on those two teams, and she, along with senior Emma Dagley, make up half of the 200 medley relay team.
“We just want to set our goals and then shatter them. Our girls are focused this year on some of the long-standing relay records at Eastern as well as breaking some of the individual ones as well,” the coach said. “They had a very good preseason conditioning and I’m looking to capitalize on that for our season.”
Junior Caitlin Sipes, who swam some junior varsity last year, is a full-time varsity member and rounds out the roster.
“I’m excited this year to have Caitlin as a full varsity swimmer and look for her to contribute immediately,” coach Dolence said. “Due to the size of our team, all of our swimmers will be key this year. Each one will need to score points day in and out during our dual meet season, as well as at our sectional meet.”
Along with swimming, Eastern Hancock has added diving to its natatorium and will look to compete in that event this upcoming season.
“We are excited to add diving and for some of the girls to begin training for that event,” coach Dolence said.
The Royals open up the season in a tri-meet with New Castle and Batesville on Nov. 16 at New Castle.
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2023-24 Eastern Hancock Girls Swimming and Diving Schedule
Date;Opponent;Time
Nov. 16;at New Castle/Batesville;5:30 p.m.
Nov. 20;at Centerville/Seton Catholic;6 p.m.
Nov. 28;vs. Connersville/Batesville;6 p.m.
Nov. 30;at Lawrence Central/Purdue Polytechnic;5:30 p.m.
Dec. 5;at North Central/Guerin Catholic;6 p.m.
Dec. 7;at New Palestine/New Castle;5:30 p.m.
Dec. 12;vs. Muncie Burris;6 p.m.
Dec. 16;Eastern Hancock Invitational;9 a.m.
Dec. 19;vs. Heritage Christian/Lapel;6 p.m.
Dec. 30;vs. Willoughby South;TBD
Jan. 2;at Indian Creek Invite;5:30 p.m.
Jan. 4;vs. Blackford/Elwood/Frankton;6 p.m.
Jan. 11;vs. Bishop Chatard/Scecina;6 p.m.
Jan. 16;at Richmond;5:30 p.m.
Jan. 20;at Warren Central Warrior Invite;10 a.m.
Jan. 24;vs. Hagerstown;6 p.m.
