With the 2005-06 season right around the corner, The Greencastle boys' swimming team is remaining optimistic

With the 2005-06 season right around the corner, The Greencastle boys' swimming team is remaining optimistic. Although Greencastle is not as deep as in the past, the Tiger Sharks return a core of hard-workers, committed to the task at hand.

"This team has been very well self-motivated," Head Coach Paul Bretscher said. "It's still early in the season, but we've had really good turnouts. In terms of dedication, the signs are looking like it's a motivated team."

Leading Greencastle this year, Andrew Bretscher returns for his senior season. Bretscher advanced to state competition last season, and looks to make another run this year.

Along with Bretscher, fellow seniors Jonathan Barber, Landon Mackey, David Steen and divers Pat Rud and Ben Fisher return to the Greencastle pool this year.

"Diving we're strong," Bretscher said. "Pat is back, and he went to the regional last year. And Ben is in his fourth year diving."

Other areas of strength for the Tiger Sharks this season include the breast stroke and distance events. Dustin Wood and Gus Lidaka finished in the top six in the breast stroke at sectional competition last season, while Mark Jedele returns as the top distance swimmer for the Tiger Sharks.

As for Andrew Bretscher, Paul Bretscher isn't really sure what to do with him just yet.

"We're never quite sure where we're going to put him because he can

swim anything," he said. "So he'll be good wherever he ends up."

Another versatile swimmer on the squad, Misha Serlin, is looking to make strides in his sophomore season. Serlin competed in the individual medley and 500-meter freestyle last season, but could end up in a number of different events this season.

"We've got to swim through some meets and try people out different

places," Bretscher said. "Every team's different. We're not exactly sure what will work best."

The Tiger Sharks also have a few newcomers looking to make an impact this season. Anthony Paul joins a strong diving unit, and will also be handling some swimming in his freshman year. Along with Paul, fellow freshman Luke Crimmins has impressed coaches and teammates early in the season.

"He has the potential to be real good," Bretscher said. "I don't know how good he'll be his freshmen year, but he's talented in a lot of different areas."

Greencastle starts its season Nov. 29 against Terre Haute South. The Tiger Sharks have defeated the Braves the last few seasons, and are looking to build on that success.

"We've beaten them the last five or six years in a row," Bretscher said. "At least

starting the season this year, we're not quite as good as we've been the last few years. So it might be a little bit of a struggle. This is a team that has a lot of potential to be better at the end of the season, but we're a long way from being really good right now."

As for where that potential will go, Bretscher said that will depend on how his younger swimmers develop.

"There's a lot of freshmen and sophomore talent," he said. "If it develops, we could wind up being real good by the end of the year. If we don't do anything with it, we could be mediocre by the end of the year."