The Cape Henlopen High School Swim Team held its awards banquet recently. More than 100 swimmers, parents, coaches and family members gathered to recognize the student athletes. The crowd dined on an old school, Sussex County buffet, generously donated by a parent. The swimmers, 20 of whom were selected to the Henlopen-All Conference Teams, were honored for their academic achievements as well as their achievements in the pool.
Swimming is somewhat unique as far as high school sports go. There is no junior varsity: freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors all compete on the same squad, individually and as part of a team. The boys and girls teams do not compete against each other, but practice, train, travel to, and compete with each other at swim meets. The coaching staff oversees both teams simultaneously. The pool is the great equalizer.
Over the past 10 seasons under the committed leadership of Head Coach Bill Geppert, “Gep” as he is affectionately known by all, has led the Viking girls to an 83-23 record including a 2013 and four other Henlopen Conference championships. He has led the boys team to a 81-24 record with three Henlopen Conference championships including two of the last three years. Since 2006, Gep has been selected by the Henlopen Athletic Conference eight times as boys or girls Coach of the Year and some years for both.
Swimming isn’t the most popular, well supported or well attended of the sports at Cape, but the achievements and commitment of these athletes and coaches contributes to the legacy of Cape sports that runs so deep in our community. A special thank you to Gep and his coaching staff, Tina Johnson, Tina Lingo, John Zacharias, Dr. Rick Brokaw and Pete Olson for leading and mentoring our athletes who work together as a team, excel in the pool, in the classroom and in their communities. Congratulations to all the members of the Cape swim team for your accomplishments and for an outstanding season. Oh, and if only the high school had a pool!
Twig Burton
Rehoboth Beach
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