On A Roll

The Mens’ Swim team is 24-0 since 2006.

"We all know what we have to do to continue the streak," said senior captain Michael Tetrick. "No one wants to lose it, and it motivates us to do better."

This year, the team is the largest it has ever been, with more than 20 swimmers.

"It’s a good group of guys," Tetrick said. "It’s the first time in a while that we have all worked together as a team, instead of going for the individual accomplishment."

Newcomers to the team, seniors Max Corman and Nate Valade, said the team chemistry is great.
"There are no bad influences on the team," Corman said. "Everyone looks out for each other."

So far this season, the NF swim team has won all their meets. They have competed against the likes of Farmington, Rochester, and Avondale. They also participated in the West Bloomfield Invitational, where they placed first for the first time in four years, after facing Novi, West Bloomfield, Troy Athens, and Livonia Churchill.

"The size of the team has really surprised me this season," said head coach Michael Harfoot. "I don’t know if it was the Olympics that made kids want to join, but it has really helped us out a lot."

Last season, the team had trouble filling all the lanes. This year, it was only the second time in Harfoot’s 11 years coaching here that he had to cut swimmers.

The team is led by captains Michael Tetrick, Phil Robinson, and Michael Sapick.

Junior Mickey McNeece made state cuts after the first meet of the season for the 100 Butterfly.

"I’ve made state cuts before, but doing it in the first meet of the season doesn’t happen often," McNeece said. "It’s really good to know and now I can set my goals higher."

McNecee wants to break the pool record for the 100 Butterfly before he leaves North Farmington.

According to Harfoot, Junior Garrick Givens is also swimming very well.

"It’s amazing to see Givens back in the pool swimming so well," Harfoot said.

Last season, Givens was out with a back injury and had to have major surgery done. He was out for six months.

"All my muscles were weakened, so it has slowed me down a bit," Givens said. "However, at the West Bloomfield meet, I dropped four seconds off my 200 freestyle time."

It was the best time Givens has had since the surgery.

Every other day, the team is practicing in the pool at 5:30 in the morning, and they continue to practice after school each day.

The team does almost everything together. They even hang out outside of the pool.
"After every meet, we go to Wendy’s," Valade said. "And after Saturday practice we go out to Royal Buffet."

The swim team still has more than half a season left to play. Right now, they are 8-0 this season.

"Expectations have been set," Corman said. "We know what we have to do to keep the streak going, and we hope to continue it throughout the rest of the season."