Prep Swimming Notepad: Hawks’ Wanner keeps up pace

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Last year, Brooke Point’s Caroline Wanner made a good first impression as a freshman, finishing 11th in the 500 freestyle at the Group AAA state meet.

As a sophomore this season, the year-round swimmer has gotten off to a quick start, according to Black-Hawks’ coach Andy Steuart.

So far, Wanner’s 500 free time of 2:11.96 ranks first in the area, more than nine seconds ahead of the second-best time.

“I expected her to get back there eventually, not necessarily right from the start,” Steuart said.

Wanner is not just a one-event standout, however, also boasting the top times in the 200 individual medley (2:11.96) and 100 free (54.97).

Steuart said Wanner isn’t really an outspoken teammate, but leads in other ways.

“She comes in and works hard, kind of leads by example,” he said. “But she’s definitely come out of her shell since last year. She is definitely a great teammate to have.”

Wanner wasn’t the only current sophomore to do well last year.

Alexis Delgado, who only swims in the summer when not with the Black–Hawks, qualified for the Northwest Region meet in the 50 free. Steuart also coaches Delgado’s summer-league team and said she’s a pure athlete who’s always trying to get better.

“She’s a perfectionist,” he said of Delgado, who also plays softball for Brooke Point and on a travel team. “She’s always asking what she can do to improve.”

Steuart also cited Caitlin Flinn, who has returned from a year off and is doing well. Flinn is another multi-sport athlete who plays for Brooke Point’s field hockey team.

On the boys side, senior Forrest Deal has been a standout again this season after achieving a state qualifying time in the 100 breast stroke last year.

“He’s doing well and we’re expecting him to do it again this year,” Steuart said.

Nick Kime, a transfer from Colonial Forge, has also contributed for the boys this season.

Brooke Point still has Commonwealth District meets left with Mountain View this Friday and Orange on Jan. 25 before the district meet on Feb. 1 at Fork Union Military Academy.

—Tom Leiss

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