The Kansas City Blazers just started it’s 2013-2014 season on Aug. 30. With lots of new goals, dreams and people.

There is quite a few new faces this year on the team,one of many including an assistant coach named Mike Anderson. He swam at the University of Michigan and used to coach in Michigan but recently moved here.

Anderson said, “I felt like I needed a change, I had lived in Michigan my whole life and the blazers are one of the best teams around.”

The Blazers are focusing on underwaters (kicking that swimmers do when they come off the wall) and  kicking more than ever this season. It was one of the goals of head site coach Rachel Schlatter.

Schlatter also commented, “kicking is the basis of every stroke, so it is important factor to work on.

The Blazers practice a minimum of six times a week, everyday after school from six-thirty to nine o’clock, and then Saturday mornings five-thirty to nine.

“I love going to practice everyday, my team is like my family, they always cheer me up even when I am having a really bad day,” said Gabbi Miller, a sophomore at Blue Valley Southwest.

Some people though don’t like all the changes that are happening. Aka bigger sites, more people, new workouts.

“I feel like I get lost in the crowd sometimes with all the people,” said Adam Houghton, a sophomore at Blue Valley High.

Houghton also said he felt like he is not getting as much individual attention as he use to. Which is quite true. The Blazers have over 400 swimmers this year on the Kansas side alone.The team is definitely getting a lot bigger.

“I love meeting all the new people and have more people to compete and train with.” Miller said.

The team is preparing for their first meet Oct. 11-13. Many of them have news goals this season.

“I want to get 3 best times so I can go to Wisconsin with the team this year!” Miller said.

On the other hand the boys high school swim season is just around the corner, so many of the older boys goals are more short term.

I just really want to come to practice more and work harder, so I’m ready for high school swimming, Houghton said.

The team is looking great so far for this early in the season, the coaches are excited to see what they can accomplish this year.

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