Bartlesville High School Swim Team
Have you ever noticed some schools just dominate a certain sport? Almost as if the kids growing up in a particular town prepare their entire young lives for the chance to compete at the varsity level for the high school and continue the winning traditions passed down from previous generations.
That’s exactly what it’s like to be a Bruin swimmer. Between the boys and girls programs, the Bruins own 42 state championships. The girls team owns 20 of those titles with the last title coming in early 2024.
Head coach Chad Englehart knows the team enters every meet with a target on their back, but that doesn’t change the approach or the work it takes to stay on top, regardless of who they lost to graduation.
“The girls are the defending 6A State champions. We lost a large, successful senior class last year that will be difficult to replace. We do have a large senior class again this year and also return two individual state champions from last year’s squad in Anna Young and Addie Howze. Jenks is the preseason favorite, but it should be a wonderful competition for the crown,” said Englehart.
The senior class includes Annabelle Droege, Gabrielle Burke, Sianna Kuehn, Cara Moore,
Calli Richards, Erin Roper, Patricia Wells, and Addison Williams. Juniors competing this season include Addison Howze, Ashlynn Taylor, Macie Stapleton, and Casey Wells.
The underclassmen are Sophia Williams, Anna Young, Alexis Taylor, and Daisy Droege.
Coach Englehart said the boys team could be a contender this season as well.
“The boys team has a strong senior class and looks to continue its streak of top 3 finishes at the 6A state championship meet. We will be led by seniors Luke Olsen and Ethan Peterson and sophomore Parker Shoesmith,” said Englehart.
The boys roster includes Camden McDonald (Sr.), Luke Olsen (Sr.), Ethan Peterson (Sr.), Zane Deal (Sr.), Travis Lief (Jr.), Aysen Offutt (So.), Parker Shoesmith (So.), Kevin Contreras (So.), Austin Tincup (So.), Blace Williams (Fr.), Anthony Mann (Fr.), and Grayson Ellis (Fr.).
The Bruins will compete in three meets in November before going on the road to Union High School to face the Redhawks and the Trojans of Jenks. Senior night is set for January 28th before Regionals on Feb. 8th, state prelims on Feb. 21st and the state swim meet at Jenks High School on Feb. 22nd.
