Swimming siblings lead Juneau

For a large part of the Juneau-Douglas High School swim team, the sport is a family affair.

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The Kreuzensteins (Jake and Kaitlin), Hugheses (Aaron and Paul), Josephsons (Tom and Matt) and Potdevins (Kelsey and Weather) make up a large, vital part of this season's squad. Freshmen Holly and Tanya Trucano are on the Juneau diving team.

They and the rest of the Crimson Bears will host swimmers from Sitka, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Craig and Haines for the Juneau Invitational on Friday and Saturday. The Invite - Juneau's only home meet of the season - begins at 6 p.m. on Friday and 4:15 p.m. on Saturday at the Augustus G. Brown Swimming Pool.

Coach John Wray said the Crimson Bears have long benefited from family swimming traditions.

"We've had families with three, four kids who have come and gone through the program," he said. "I think it's indicative of the fact that parents recognize that swimming as a sport teaches the kids some very positive values - that hard work won't kill you, to work toward something and achieve a goal."

While most of the siblings don't share events in competition, they said they do push each other in training.

"She makes me work harder in practice," Kelsey Potdevin said of older sister - and team co-captain - Weather.

"You want to swim harder, because you don't want them to beat you," Weather said of her younger sibling.

In some cases, the attention of a sibling is like having a second coach.

Holly Trucano said that with coach Cathy Tide - and her sister - watching practice dives, "there's nothing that can slip by."

"It's kind of a race to see who can get the most dives in" during practice, Tanya Trucano said.

Wray said the team - now a month into the competition season - is a little worn down, so the home meet comes at a good time.

"We're getting into the real meat of the hard workouts," he said. "A lot of the kids are really tired, ... so it's nice to not have to worry about travel, and sleeping in a strange bed."

Wray said the Augustus Brown pool has several small factors including the type of lighting, and lane dividers that cut down on waves that may contribute to slightly faster times.

The Crimson Bears have several swimmers among the top 16 in the state in various events. For the girls, Weather Potdevin (200 and 500 freestyle); Kelsey Potdevin (50 free and 100 backstroke); Lisse Focht (200 and 500 free); and Martha Kaiser (100 free) are among the state leaders.

For the boys, Paul Hughes has the top 200 individual medley time in the state so far this season, as does the 200 medley relay team. Paul Hughes also has posted top times in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle, and the 100 breaststroke. Other leaders include Jake Kreuzenstein (200 and 500 free, 200 IM); Olin Robus (100 butterfly, 100 breaststroke); Aaron Hughes (100 breaststroke); Kirk Fishel (200 IM, 100 free, 100 back); and Tyler Hennon (200 and 500 free).

The public is welcome to come to the pool and watch the meet, Wray said.

Weather Potdevin said the Crimson Bears are looking to put on a good show for the home crowd.

"We want to defend our home turf and have fun," she said.

Among the others coming to the Juneau Invite:

• Ketchikan junior Kate Gallaway is among the top 16 in the state in the 200 individual medley, 100 butterfly and 500 freestyle. The Kings' Sara Schroeder (500 free), Ben Voetberg (100 free, 100 back) and Nick Rosenfeld (500 free) are also having good seasons.

• Sitka is led by brother and sister Mica and Reba Trani. Mica Trani swims the 50 and 100 freestyle, while Reba is among the state leaders in the 100 backstroke. Carrington Gorman (50 freestyle) and Matt Way (100 breaststroke) are also doing well.

• The Petersburg girls squad has several standout swimmers, including freshman Carole Triem in the 100 breaststroke; sophomore Angela Henderson in the 100 breaststroke and the 200 individual medley; and senior Brittany Carlson in the 100 backstroke. Petersburg also has a large diving squad.

• Craig's Shona Pierce looks to make an impact in the 100 breaststroke and 50 freestyle events, and the Panthers' Stephanie Lowery has been posting good times in the 100 backstroke.

• Haines has five swimmers on its team this fall, up from just one person last year.

All across the region, many teams are reporting a higher-than-average turnout of swimmers this season.

"I've been excited by all of the new faces," Craig coach Don Pierce said. "Everyone was looking for a down year (after the loss of last season's seniors), but you always have these new faces stepping up. It's a thrill to see them doing well."

Craig has five boys on this season's squad - enough for a full relay team.

"We haven't had a boy on the team in four years," Pierce said. "It's going to be exciting just to see them."

Several of the newcomers are basketball players, including senior varsity players Freddy Hamilton and Jordan Savage.

"They're using it as conditioning for basketball," Pierce said. "We're not sure what we're going to get, but we're excited to have them."