Blake Burgess    
Hoover’s swim team acquired a new member this year in junior Blake Burgess.

     Burgess said swimming is a difficult sport, but for him, has many benefits.

     “I wanted to be in great shape, and I really liked the Coach, Mr. Johnsen,” he said.

     Swim coach Mr. Matt Johnsen said he is impressed with Burgess.

     “Considering he has just started swimming in August, he has improved leaps and bounds,” he said.

     To prepare himself physically for the upcoming season, Burgess said in addition to summer practices, he also practiced throughout the fall.

     “I started in August…and swam for the YMCA in the fall,” he said.

     Burgess said practices can be very challenging physically.

     “The practices are really tough,” Burgess said. “Two-a-days are the worst.”

     Burgess said one of his favorite parts of swimming are his teammates.

     “I enjoy the team, we all get along [well], we have a lot in common, and we hangout outside of swimming,” Burgess said.

     Johnsen said although this is Burgess’s first year on the team, he fits in well.

     “He gets along very well,” he said. “They embraced him right away. That’s part of what made him comfortable.”

     Johnsen also said Burgess is a well-rounded athlete and could do well in anything he set his mind to.

     “He’ll be missed on the basketball team,” Johnsen said. “He’s an athlete. He could take up lacrosse and do great.”

Kelsey Lensman     
    While most students develop an interest, whether for sports or in the arts, few have had a passion for a single sport since kindergarten. Freshman Kelsey Lensman is one of those few.

     Lensman is guard on both the JV and varsity basketball teams. Although she is a newcomer, Coach Tim Vick said Lensman’s attitude has made her an excellent contribution to the teams.

     “She is a bright kid and a competitive kid,” Vick said. “It has been an easy transition.”

     Lensman said throughout this experience, she has formed many strong bonds.

     “[Basketball] gets you really close with your friends, plus I really like the intensity of it,” Lensman said.

     While Lensman appreciates the friends she has made during basketball season, she said she never loses sight of her main objective: to win.

     “The greatest reward is the bonds you make with your friends, but of course winning is always nice,” Lensman said.

     Vick said he agreed Lensman is a very competitive player and has potential for the rest of her high school career.

     “I think Kelsey is a great player for North Canton,” Vick said. “She is probably one of the better ones we have seen and had she not been injured she would have been an important part of the varsity team.”

     Lensman said she continuing with basketball throughout her life.

     “I don’t think I could ever stop playing basketball,” Lensman said.