By Eugenio Torrens
Tanner Schmitz didn’t have an illustrious career in the pool to inspire his Wiregrass Ranch boys and girls swimmers.
He didn’t really know swimming before he coached it for the first time last year, but that hasn’t prevented Schmitz from attempting to have his Bulls (4-3) catch up to swimming institutions like Land O’ Lakes and Sunlake.
Things didn’t get easier when Wiregrass Ranch moved from Class 2A-District 5 to 3A-5 with state powerhouses including Palm Harbor, East Lake and Countryside.
“Some of the top teams in the state are all in this one district,” Schmitz said. “These schools have kids that are training for the Olympics.”
How those other schools, as well as other area squads got so good isn’t wasted on Schmitz.
Two years into his coaching career, Schmitz realizes the invaluable bond between high school and club swimming. He knows that’s an integral reason as to why Land O’ Lakes is so dominant in the pool and understands that kind of institution isn’t built overnight.
But in his second year, Schmitz is striving to close the gap in the near future.
“If I’ve got to say anything about it, and if these kids have got anything to say about it, Wiregrass is going to be always talked about as one of those top Pasco County swim programs,” Schmitz said.
Doing so will be difficult after the squad lost a number of seniors from last year’s squad coupled with the new district, but the former Ridgewood football player has brought over his hard-nosed mentality to the Bulls squad.
“I think last year I might have had a little reputation as kind of a hot head,” Schmitz said. “I came in talking a little bit. … In my mind, part of my job as a coach is to exude confidence.
“The one thing I can say about my kids and the Wiregrass swim team is we don’t back down,” Schmitz continued. “They don’t swim scared.”
Some of the Bulls have taken on their coach’s personality.
“He’s disciplined, he’s in your face,” said junior Jacob Strickland. “No slacking, if you’re not doing it to your best, you’re not doing it right.”
Despite the loss of a number of seniors, including 2010 state qualifier Rebecca Pindral and the absence of nine seniors from the boys’ team, the squad is building for the future.
“We started out as a young team,” said senior Fern Powell. “We got a lot of freshmen out here that are really dedicated to our team and stuff, which is great because we’ve got them for three more years.
“What you see this year is what you’ll get next year and even better,” Powell continued. “That’s what a lot of people can look forward to in Wiregrass swimming.”
Current seniors are trying to instill the sense of urgency they have knowing they’re about to graduate.
“There’s no more pushing it like ‘oh I have next year’ because this is it,” said senior Taylor Link. “We try to instill that in them (younger swimmers) now. Get in that pool, and swim like you’re about to die. Give everything you have in the water.”
The Bulls will compete in the 3A-9 district meet on Friday, Oct. 28 at the Palm Harbor YMCA.
