Bixby Swim
As the swim team prepares for the upcoming season, they are doing so under new head coach David Zimmerman. While this is Zimmerman’s first year as head coach at Bixby High School, Zimmerman is no stranger to competitive swimming. With 24 years of knowledge under his belt, Zimmerman has spent early practices focused on fundamentals and race strategy.
“I’ve seen our athletes take on such a powerful position in the water and we are hungry to get out there and compete and make Bixby Swimming strong again.”
Nolan Pardue (Sr.) is team captain and a natural leader for the Spartans. Pardue is known for being service-minded and currently works as a junior coach for the local club team where he mentors the next generation of swimmers. Wyatt Freeman (So.) is everything you want in a teammate. Coach Zimmerman said he displays perseverance, self-discipline, competitiveness, focus, hard work and mental toughness in and out of the pool.
Presley Smerczynski (Sr.) is an inspirational swimmer for the Spartans and has overcome some adversity to make her final season of prep swimming her best. Zimmerman said Smerczynski is one of the more resilient swimmers he has ever coached.
“She bounces back from every setback and has the most positive attitude. She infuses joy into the atmosphere and displays integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership. She’s competitive, coachable, and disciplined,” said Zimmerman.
The senior class includes Maddalena Cestari, Lillian Keenan, Hahyeon Kim, Nolan Pardue, Sebastian Reagor, and Presley Smerczynski.
The junior class includes Evan England, Mary Jones, Jared Parks, Caden Strokos, Chandler Weinacht, Yan Zhelabaty, and Kyen Zigler.
A talented sophomore class includes Nevaeh Alisauskas, Paige Bielefeld, Wyatt Freeman, Landon Lybarger, Owen Miller, Gabriella Pena, Luke Saylor, and Kylie Wise. The new crop of freshman are looking to make their presence felt this season. That group includes Madeline Ambrose, Thimijaya Bamunuarachchi, Jon Clemenson, Makayla Compton, Ethan Grove, Chloe Jones, Soleil Mendez, Keller Stephens, Kai Weinacht, and Victoria Welch.
