The calendar has turned to July, and the Hilltoppers Swim Club is still rolling. Dupo’s team is 5-1 on the year, with the lone defeat coming at the hands of defending league champion O’Fallon.

Head coach Salle Plunkett is thrilled with how her team is swimming.

“The swimmers consistently continue to improve,” she said. “They are dropping their times almost every time they get in the water.”

Such progress would not be possible without work ethic and positivity, Plunkett said. Day after day, her swimmers demonstrate the desire to get better. For example, newcomer Evy Moore (ages 8 and under division), has shown “substantial improvement and has a great attitude about swimming,” according to Plunkett. That positive attitude has spread to the older swimmers as well.

Patrick Dent (ages 11-12) missed several meets earlier in the year, but has shown a newfound enthusiasm and “has really turned up his performance in the water.”

Cassandra Holmes (ages 11-12) works hard at every practice, and “always has a smile on her face,” the coach said.

Several members of the Hilltoppers are also motivated by their family members, according to Plunkett. Brothers Jacob and Andrew Feldker and sisters Breanna and Caitlyn Knox are constantly pushing each other to do better.

While Plunkett wants her team to continue to work hard and swim well, she also wants them to have fun.

The Hilltoppers had plenty of fun last Wednesday, when they hosted the Waterloo Piranhas in an exhibition meet. Plunkett said that her team loved the experience, and had high praise for the Piranhas.

“They’ve done an outstanding job keeping their team together despite the lack of a local swimming pool,” she said. “This sport offers so much good to people’s lives with the memories and friendships that are formed throughout the years. They know they are always welcome at our pool!”

The Hilltoppers hosted St. Clair on Tuesday, and will travel to Trenton on Thursday evening.

Piranhas

The season is at the halfway point, and the Waterloo Piranhas are exactly where they expected to be: first place.

The Piranhas are 3-0 on the season and sit atop the Kaskaskia Conference standings. Waterloo has dominated the competition so far this season, and head coach Bart Jones is delighted with his team’s effort.

“We’ve had a number of career bests this summer, and great efforts in all age groups,” Jones said.

The coach added that his team has looked great across the board, but noted that several swimmers, such as Miranda Foster, Sarah Schulz, Cameron Rubemeyer, Sophie Britweiser, and Grant Higgerson, are looking “stronger than ever.”

Though driven to win, Jones said that he and his team thoroughly enjoyed the exhibition meet against the Hilltoppers last Wednesday.

Waterloo lost the meet, but the experience was more important than the final score.

“It was a fun meet,” Jones said. “It reminded me very much of the meets I used to swim in when I was a kid and the league had 10-plus teams. Events were filled, it was competitive, well-run, and the competition was great.”

That kind of environment gets kids and parents revved up to swim, Jones continued.

“Hats off to Salle Plunkett and the program in Dupo. They do a great job.”

The Piranhas will look to continue having fun — and winning — this Saturday when they take on Greenville.

Hurricanes

Though their record doesn’t show it, the Columbia Hurricanes are making major improvements.

Columbia is 0-3 on the season, but head coach Bart Jones says that his team has already made tremendous strides since the beginning of the summer.

“We’re making great improvements, and learning new things,” he said. “I’m very pleased with the progress.”

Jones said that the team has gotten contributions from beginners and veterans alike. The

coach recognized the strong performances from older swimmers Zoe Hejna and Lacie House, while also noting how quickly his newest swimmers are learning.

Columbia will play host to Greenville this evening before facing off against Sparta Country Club over the weekend.