Nixa, Mo. (For OzarksSportsZone.com)  -- The Nixa Eagles swimming and diving team will be guided by first-year head coach Pete Hill, who is also the coach at Kickapoo. With only two starters back on this year’s team and only seven swimmers total on his roster, Hill is facing a numbers game.

Austin Campbell and Jack Shirey are the two starters back on the squad. Hill has five freshmen on the team as he continues to build the program. The freshmen are Kaleb Barker, Austin Dixon, Drew Meyers, Russell Porter and Adam Vaught.

“We would like to qualify for all three relays and have individual state cuts for Austin and Jack.  We have some strength with the new swimmers who have participated in the summer program at the (Nixa Community) Center,” said Hill. “I am looking forward to continuing the Nixa traditions with both individual and relay qualifiers.”

Hill is realistic in his expectations and knows it may be a few years before the team gets back to the level at which he would like. He looks for the team to continue to grow in strength and numbers.  

“We have strength in this year’s freshmen and have several year-round swimmers coming up over the next several years,” said Hill.  “The team was seventh the state as their highest ranking. I would like to see the team reach top 6 in the next three years based on the up and coming swimmers.”

Nixa swimming
Head coach: Pete Hill
Assistant coach: Jackie Boismenue
Years as head coach: 1
Years at present school: 6