Minisink swimmer James Crumm prepares to start the 100 backstroke in a non-league meet against Beacon on Friday. Crumm cruised to a school record in the event. 11/30/12 (Steve Borland photo/Times Herald-Record)
The Times Herald-Record boys’ swimming and diving preview for the 2012-13 season will run in Tuesday’s paper, so look for it there as well as on Varsity845.com.
Warwick's Nick Rusek dives at practice at Warwick High School on Monday, Nov. 12, 2012. (Tom Bushey photo/Times Herald-Record)
In it, I’ll feature Minisink Valley senior James Crumm, who will swim at Niagara University next year. The main topic of the story is Crumm’s dedication to the sport of swimming, which is an all-year thing for him. Whether it’s 6:30 a.m. practices at SUNY Orange during summer vacation or heading to a two-hour club practice at Aqua Gems right after a 150-minute practice with his high school team.
That dedication has certainly paid off, not only in terms of his college scholarship. In Friday’s non-league meet against Beacon, Crumm shattered the school record in the 100 backstroke, swimming a 55.24.
“I’m looking forward to this season, not for personal goals, but team goals,” said Crumm, who was voted team captain. ”I’m more excited for the team’s accomplishments more than mine. I like watching other people do better.”
“In the past he was kind of laid back and led by example,” said Minisink Valley head coach Brian Golden. “This year, it’s the whole package, which is great to see. That, to me, is even more important than what he does in the water. These are the things you take with you when swimming is over.”
There will also be a story on Warwick sophomore diver Nick Rusek, who grew four to five inches over the offseason. It’s had an impact on the simple physics of his job, but Rusek, like Crumm, is rarely away from the pool. That is, except when he’s playing soccer for a club team. Rusek is a contender for a top-five finish at the state meet this year.
“I grew. I’m not sure how much I’ve grown, but I can tell I’m pushing the board down more and jumping higher,” Rusek said.
I’ll also have a list of swimmers and divers to watch during the upcoming season.
BOYS SWIMMING AND DIVING 2012-13
Key dates:
Feb. 1: OCIAA dive finals at Washingtonville
Feb. 2: OCIAA swim finals at Washingtonville
Feb. 14: Section 9 dive finals at Valley Central
Feb. 15: Section 9 swim preliminaries at Valley Central
Feb. 16: Section 9 swim finals at Valley Central
March 1: state dive finals and swim preliminaries at Webster-Schroeder High School, Webster
March 2: state swim finals at Webster-Schroeder High School, Webster
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In case you missed it, here are the Varsity845 girls’ swimming and diving all-stars for fall 2012: http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121125/SPORTS31/211250331
For updates throughout the season, follow me on Twitter: @THR_Montgomery.
