Fontbonne Swimming Back in the Deep End

Kristin Baltrusaitis is in her first year as head coach of the swim team and after a year off from participating on a varsity level, the Ducks are back in the pool as an independent team.

Baltrusaitis has relied heavily on her swimmers and captains to make a seamless transition as first-year coach in her first go round on the varsity level.

“My captains are amazing and they have been very helpful,” said the new head coach. “All of the girls are working really hard and are really open to a new start.”

The Ducks didn’t field a full team last season and participated on the club level. The difficulty of a grueling sport like swimming, which takes practice, practice and maybe even a little more practice in the pool to work on form to cut through the water in the quickest amount of time possible, is part of the reason why some girls don’t jump in the pool, according to Baltrusaitis.

“It’s sort of an intimidating sport if you aren’t familiar with swimming,” she said. “It takes a lot of technique and a lot of practice and time to develop. Some girls might be hesitant to start because it’s a tough sport.”

So far the Ducks are 0-2 on the season after their most recent defeat to Marshfield, 83-63.

There have been many highlights for the Ducks in the first couple of meets. Allison Cudday, Mary Kelly, Lauren Healy and Cathering O’Connor finished with a time of 2:20.78 in the 200 medley relay.

Lauren Cudday had a time of 29.80 in the 50 yard free, while Olivia Smith came in with a time of 31.72. In the 100 butterfly, Kelly finished 1:24.30. Brittany Miller’s time of 1:19 fared well in the 100 yard free.

The early results have been set as a building block for the swimmers to improve upon their personal bests, and the coach is just looking to see improvement day-in and day-out.

“I’m just looking for them to see improvements and to grow,” said Baltrusaitis. “I think they have a lot of potential.”