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Neptunes set to kickoff ’18 campaign with weekend home invitational
The Nevada Neptunes are coming to a pool near you.
Kicking off their upcoming season in style, Nevada’s tradition-rich local summer swim team is set to host its annual home invitational this weekend at Walton Aquatic Center.
The LLC incorporated Neptune swim organization, formed in the mid-70’s, is comprised of swimmers ranging in age from five to 18.
“(We’ve) been known to host a quality swim meet,” noted Neptunes president, Paul Russell. “The families take pride in the ‘Nevada way’, doing everything possible to get the job done politely and on time.”
The two-day invitational (June 2-3) begins Saturday at 9 a.m., and will run several hours. The event will then pick back up at 9 a.m. Sunday.
Russell said admission is free, and he is hoping for a large turnout of community support. He added that a fundraiser will take place during the meet to raise funds for travel expenses.
The Neptunes, a member of the Tri-State Conference, have upcoming meets in Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kansas.
“The home meet is one of our biggest fundraisers,” said Russell. “If someone would like to support the swim team they can stop by the pool on Saturday or Sunday and buy some breakfast, lunch or dinner.”
Russell added that he anticipates roughly 250 total swimmers attending the event, with 70 Neptunes set to make a splash.
“The home meet is a great way for new swimmers to get a taste of a swimming meet,” summed up Russell.”
Said 10-year-old first-year Neptunes swimmer Bambi Purgerson, “I’m very, very excited to be joining the Neptunes.”
Wanted: Local swimmers
According to Russell, it’s not to late for aspiring swimmers to join the Neptune swim team for the upcoming season.
“The primary benefit of joining the swim team is to learn a lifelong sport that everyone can do well into their adult life,” explained Russell. “The swimmers are in the water early in the morning and get 30 minutes to two hours of exercise in before 10 a.m.”
Russell said a batch of Nevada High School boys and girls swim team members are also on the Neptune swim squad. One primary benefit for the prep swimmers is that it keeps them in tip-top shape during the summer months.
“It is amazing how fast swimmers of all ages progress quickly after joining our swim team,” said Russell.
Open registration for the Neptunes runs through the end of June.
Swimmers can be between the ages of 5-18, but if a swimmer is under 5-years-old and can swim the 25-yard length of the pool, they can compete in swim meets, according to Russell.
“Practice attendance is never kept or required,” said Russell. “Some swimmers go to summer school and then start swimming after it gets out, or alternate between the two.”
Registration must be completed online at nevadaneptunes.com.
“There is a wealth of information about the team and how we operate,” said Russell. “Practice times are posted, as well as the conference meet schedule.”
Neptune coaches
Samantha Short, Nevada High’s head girls swim coach, has been tapped to take the reins of the Neptune swim team this season. Also on the staff, are stroke coach specialist Karen Claypool, and former and current NHS swimmers Janna Scotten, Peyton Claypool, and Hallie Short.
“The coaches emphasize working on teaching the correct strokes before letting swimmers work on endurance,” said Russell, of the Neptunes training regimen. “This way, bad swimming techniques are caught early on, before they get reinforced. After they have mastered techniques, then the swimmers are taught small refinements, which teaches them to swim the strokes more efficiently. And finally, swimming endurance is practiced with correct swim technique.”
Neptune schedule
• June 2-3: Nevada Neptunes Invitational, Nevada, Mo.
• June 9: Siloam Springs Flyers Outdoor Invitational, Siloam Springs, Ark.
• June 16-17: Lamar TigerSharks Invitational, Lamar, Mo.
• June 23-24: Carthage Tigers Invitational, Carthage, Mo.
• June 30: Parsons Dolphins Invitational, Parsons, Kan.
• July 7-8: Pittsburg Barracudas Invitational, Pittsburg, Kan.
• July 14-15: Branson Waves Invitational, Branson, Mo.
• July 21-22: Joplin Stingrays Invitational, Joplin, Mo.
• July 28-29: Tri-State B championships, Siloam Springs, Ark.
• Aug. 4-5: Tri-State A championships, Monett, Mo.
TBA: Duels and triangulars.
Editor’s Note: The Neptunes are a not-for-profit entity that runs on membership dues, business donations and fundraising conducted by its members. The Neptunes have a governing board of volunteers who coordinate registration, coaches and meets. The governing board is elected at the Neptunes postseason awards banquet.
For registration questions, contact Paul Russell via email at ksurussell8@gmail.com, or at 417-684-3938.