The Dutchess Ulster Swim Organization, or DUSO, will be kicking off its summer swim season with four dual-meets on July 6 — and both Red Hook and Rhinebeck are ready to take the plunge.
The Red Hook team is confident, coming into the season well-prepared with a dominant 6-1 record. According to head coach Kevin Storrs, his team of 105 swimmers is intent on placing at least top two in the final standings, a position presumably contested by a much larger New Paltz team. But with Red Hook’s slew of highly competitive swimmers like Steve Campagna, Travis Blanch, Ilysa Timpanaro and Morgan Parkin, it seems they’re ready to do just that.
Rhinebeck, weighing in with 58 swimmers, has a significantly smaller program, but their large showing in the 8-and-under category satisfies head coach Mary Herron. She told The Observer, “I’m really excited about this season… my ultimate goal was to fill the 8-and-unders up and hopefully have staying power over the next couple years, and build on our reputation as a fantastic summer program and hopefully, a competitive one.”
Both Herron and team rep Kurt Quackenbush deemed it a “rebuilding year” for the team, in hopes of improving on their lackluster 2-5 record last season and establishing a firmer foothold in the DUSO rankings.
Both teams have nine meets scheduled, not including the DUSO championship, which was rained out last year with Red Hook in the lead at the time of cancellation.
Rhinebeck and Red Hook’s opening meets will be held at Hyde Park and Zena, respectively.
Facebook Comments