Dolphins’ Biggest Asset is Their Team-Mindedness
The Ocean Lakes Dolphins swim team is one to watch this season. Both teams, the girls and boys, should make a good showing amongst their competitors. While the swimming program is officially separated by gender, coaches Laura Eldredge and David Bostic see it as one unit. Both coaches are optimistic about this season and lavish praise on the young athletes who compete. “This year’s teams are so versatile,” explains Eldredge, “We have a good corps of younger swimmers that we can put anywhere.” Bostic agrees. “There is strong junior-senior leadership.” He adds. “The upper-class athletes who are on the team now were around when our boys won the regional finals in 2004, so they have a taste for victory.”
Toward that victorious end, Ocean Lakes has a lot going for it. Eldredge and Bostic explain that one of the Dolphins’ biggest assets is their team-mindedness. In a sport often noted for its individualism, Ocean Lakes swimmers are remarkably cohesive. “These are students who hang out together a lot,” says Bostic. “There is a lot of camaraderie and dedication in the water.”
This harmony is encouraging for the coaches. They both make clear that since they took the reins they have seen constant improvement thanks to the commitment of the students. Eldredge has been coaching Ocean Lakes swimming for eleven years; this is Bostic’s seventh season. “These teams have more talent and more drive than in years past,” says Eldgredge. That is a heartening claim given the caliber of athletes that have sprung from their program in the past. Ocean Lakes has produced numerous All-American swimmers and even boasts a national record holder, Emily Chen, as an alumna.
Despite their firm grasp on swimming, the Dolphins’ dexterity will be tested this season due to the heightened level of competition in their district and region. There are several meets in particular to which Eldredge, Bostic and the athletes look forward. Cox always fields strong swimmers. Princess Anne, First Colonial and Kellam likewise provide an estimable challenge for Ocean Lakes.
The Dolphins’ coaches, however, have the wherewithal to adequately prepare this team for the challenges they will face both inside and outside the district. Their practices are thorough, covering all of the skills necessary to be great all-around swimmers. “We cover a lot in practice that will make these young people stronger athletes, including endurance, stroke techniques and strength training,” explains Eldgredge. She and Bostic hope this season to win the district and to take the largest team possible to the regional meet. With such a strong, versatile, enthusiastic team, that seems a likely prospect and one that would make coaches and athletes alike quite pleased. Two students in particular who will help the Dolphins excel this season are juniors April Barrientos and Bobby Walsh.
Barrientos has a solid command of the 200 individual medley and the 100 backstroke, an event in which she was an All-American during her freshman year. She is encouraged by the crop of young swimmers this season. “There are a lot of freshmen that are really good and help out a lot,” she says. “We’ve already beaten some school records.” Barrientos is impressed with the positive attitudes of the team this season. Relying on their support – and her handle on IM and backstroke – Barrientos hopes to continue her swimming career in college, hopefully at North Carolina State.
Bobby Walsh knows that he has to work hard because his performances will help guide the team this season. “Because the 200 IM is my forte, I like to work hard on all four strokes in practice,” he explains. That diligence has paid off; Walsh holds several school records and has earned impressive placements from the district to the state level. He has been able to achieve these accomplishments because he exhibits incredible endurance and versatility in the water. Walsh will not only prove a boon to whichever college team he joins, but he will be following in the footsteps of one of his biggest influences as well. “My brother, J.B. Walsh, swam for Ocean Lakes and now does so for the University of Florida. He is definitely one of my biggest inspirations because whenever he is back from college he gives me a lot of support.”
