Lady Wave swimmer Katrina Ward returns after qualifying for state last season.
One of the fastest swimmers in the north returns for his last chance at a state title.
Kyle Grimes, the blazing senior swimmer, leads a small, but talented group into the spring season.
The Greenwave hit the pool against Sparks on Saturday at 9 a.m. in Fernley.
Unlike years past, this season’s timeline has been pushed up one week after the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association altered the spring calendar to avoid having state tournaments on Memorial Day weekend.
The result, however, is a compressed schedule and practice regiment leaving athletes little wiggle room to meet the required 10 practices to be eligible to start the season.
“I’m hoping we build off last year and take a few more kids to state,” Fallon coach Ken Grimes said.
As for Kyle Grimes, the speedster will no doubt make his mark in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events, although he is capable of qualifying for regionals in every event.
Grimes took fourth in the 50 free at state last season and eighth in 100.
“I hope he takes on a leadership role this year,” Ken Grimes said. “He’s got some competition, a couple kids out of Sage Ridge.”
As for his supporting cast, the boys return a number of improving swimmers and aim to get past the regional meet and qualify for the Division I-A state meet.
Garrett Snooks and Louie Mori Jr. are just a few of the swimmers aiming for an impact, especially in the 200-medley relay.
Although the freshmen class consist of just Christian Nemeth, he has swum competitively in youth programs.
“We just have to keep everybody healthy and eligible,” Ken Grimes said.
As for the girls, Katrina Ward and Josey Moore return along with Sierra Bivens and Kaelehn Nemeth.
Ward was fifth in the 200 free and eighth at state in the 100 butterfly, while Nemeth was eighth in the 100 free. Bivens, meanwhile, just missed the state cut and looks to earn her first bid this season.
Like every other program, however, the Wave had to alter its preseason practice regiment to fit the new schedule set by the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association.
The season was moved up one week to avoid a conflict on Memorial Day weekend, which forced Grimes to hold several more practices including last Saturday to ensure his swimmers have the required 10 practices to compete.
In addition, the Wave have a nearly month-long break between meets as spring break timelines in the North vary.
“It’s kind of odd,” Grimes said. “We had a little break last year … and I know there is some scheduling difficulty with pool maintenance. The other spring sports are in the same predicament.”