Community Corner

Shark Attack: Hazelwood Swim Team Starts off Strong

The Hazelwood Sharks appear to be taking a bite out of the competition after defeating rival Ferguson for the first time in 20 years.

The Hazelwood Sharks swim team has its eyes set on capturing the No. 2 spot in the North County league and could be well on its way.

The team has won three consecutive meets this season, including a meet against Ferguson, one of the bigger rivals who they haven’t beat in 20 years.

“My philosophy is always about having fun,” Sharks’ Head Coach Todd Ankenbrand said. “Winning is secondary. As long as they can go out, have fun and improve by beating their times, that’s what success means to me. This is what I tell the parents, which helps relieve the stress off them too and allows them to enjoy watching their kids swim a little more.”

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In recent years, the team has finished the season in third place but with four meets left in the season before the conference preliminaries and finals, Ankenbrand believes that they could finish in second. Florissant Fish are going for its third consecutive undefeated season. 

“We have a good mix of kids, including older and younger,” Ankenbrand said. “Our team is a little short on younger kids, age 8 and under.  But we’re stocked full of teenage swimmers and they’ve helped us keep our competitive edge.”

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Ankenbrand has been credited in a recent city press release as the big factor for being a top dog in the five-team conference. This year is a special time for him as his son is swimming on the team for the first time.

It’s even driven his coaching interest further as Ankenbrand will be coaching the Hazelwood West boys’ swim team this fall.

The Sharks take on the Florissant Fish July 1 at the Shark Tank at White Birch Bay Aquatic Center, and then they will face rival Ferguson again July 11.

If you’re interested in joining the Hazelwood Sharks team, call Hazelwood Aquatic Center Manager Jake Junghanel at 314-513-5079.



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