The Tyrone swim team’s numbers might have fallen some in the past few years, but the 2013-2014 team definitely made a comeback.

The boys team totaled only seven athletes, but they still had a  successful season, despite a 2-6 record. The girls team achieved a 6-2 record  with 20 swimmers.

Due to a cooperative agreement between the Tyrone Area School District, Bishop Guilfoyle High School and the Bellwood Area School District, swimmers from Bellwood and Bishop Guilfoyle attend practice and compete as memnbers of the Tyrone varsity swim team, even if they go to a different school than most of their teammates.

Even with these added people, the small guys team was reason for worry in the beginning of the season.

But head coach Tom Getz didn’t let the numbers affect the success. He pushes the team to work hard,  for themselves and for the team. The boys also knew that even if they lost the meets, it didn’t mean that they hadn’t won the races. In the end, a lot of the guys losses were simply due to lack of numbers.

“We need to win every race. First, second, third, fourth, fifth. No sixth. If you’re in third, take the second person on. If you’re in fourth, take the third person on. If we lose the meet, I want the other team saying ‘Wow. I can’t believe we won. They were a really good team,’” Getz said at every meet.

From a freshman point of view, joining a varsity team can be a big deal.

“I joined the team because my brother did it, and he got two records on the board,” said freshman Allison Hosko, “I thought it might be fun for me to join. Joining a swim team before you join the varsity team definitely helps you too. Then you know all the strokes and what to do at practice.”

The expectations were high throughout the season. Practices gradually got more serious. Coach Getz stressed that swimmers were to be on time, dressed, no goofing off in the locker room, and in the water at 3:30 everyday. Getz understood that districts wasn’t as far away as his team thought.

“My expectations are to work hard at practice as if I was swimming in a meet,” said Hosko.

On Tuesday, February 4th, the team was on the road to Altoona to face one of their biggest opponents. With Altoona’s numbers double what Tyrone had, the team suffered a crushing loss. The girls record stood at 5-2 and the guys 2-5.

With the season coming to a close, the seniors on the team realize that these are the last few meets they will ever compete in.

“The rest of the season will probably go like it did in the beginning. I have to say I’m excited to compete at districts and will miss the experiences with the team when I’m gone. For future swimmers, my best advice is to make sure you have a good time but are still working hard,” said senior Rhett Everhart.

The girls now have a 6-2 record with their win over Mifflin County, and the boys lost by a few points with a record now standing at 2-6.

Due to weather, the Huntingdon/Tyrone meet was never rescheduled after being cancelled too many times.

The district swim meet will be held this Friday and Saturday.   Check out the Eagle Eye on Thursday for our district preview story.