March 19, 2024

Aquagirl family includes managers

Bunker and Humphrey are in fourth year helping NCMP swim team

Mornings, afternoons and evenings — Austin Bunker and Madison Humphrey are right there for the members and the coaches of the Newton/Colfax-Mingo/Pella Aquagirls swim team.

The two Newton High seniors have been on the friends and family plan with the swim team for four years. Bunker and Humphrey are the managers for the team, helping in any way they can as the Aquagirls post success in the pool.

Tuesday, Bunker and Humphrey travel with NCMP to Pleasant Hill for a triangular swim meet hosted by Southeast Polk. They both confirmed they began their four-year stints as managers because of friends on the swim team.

“Several of my friends were on the team, and I had been coached by Coach (Sarah) Patterson since I was 5, so I thought it would be fun. I came to help Coach P out, and it took off from there,” Bunker said.

Humphrey wanted to be involved in some way as she entered high school.

“Coming in as a freshman, a lot of my friends were on the team. I’m not much of a swimmer, but this was an opportunity to be involved and be with my friends,” Humphrey said. “The swim team is like a huge family, and the team members and coaches accept us as part of the family.”

Humphrey and Bunker will be recognized along with the senior swim team members Thursday at NCMP’s Senior Night. The Aquagirls host Boone in their final home meet of the season at Newton’s YMCA.

“It has been an amazing journey with Austin and Madison. Austin became a swim manager because he is a swimmer. I am sure he thought he would hang around the pool, but little did he know what he was getting himself into,” NCMP head coach Sarah Patterson said. “He’s our go-to-guy for technology issues which come up.

“Madison became a manager because she had swimming friends on the team. I did try to get her to swim, but she wanted to stay on the sidelines, and we are glad she did because she is an amazing manager.”

Bunker said both Patterson and coach Chris Forsyth are fun to be around and he has had opportunities to help coach swimmers over the years. Bunker was a state qualifier for the Newton High boys’ swim team as a freshman and sophomore.

He did not swim last year, but competes in club swimming events.

Humphrey said she and Bunker come to the YMCA 15-minutes early each morning practice to place the lane ropes in the pool. Humphrey takes attendance. For home meets, the two managers are responsible for setting up and tearing down the equipment needed for the meet including the lane ropes, speaker system and scorekeeping table.

“I make sure the water bottles are ready,” Humphrey said. “Because I’m not a swimmer during practices, I’m doing homework a lot of the time, but if they need help with times or need something, I can get it for them.”

Bunker said he and Humphrey help keep swimmers’ times for coaches during the meet. Patterson said Bunker keeps the two coaches on track.

“I call out the split times for Coach Forsyth to write down so they have something to talk to the girls about after the meet,” Bunker said.

“Helping with times, allows the coaches to focus on the swimmers in the pool,” Humphrey said.

Patterson said Humphrey understands what it means to be an Aquagirl. Humphrey is a key member of the NHS band and a state-qualifying member of the Newton girls’ bowling team.

“We love having Madison on board,” Patterson said. “Austin is the voice of reason when Chris and I get a little crazy. Austin helps coach as well, and is really an unpaid part of our staff.”

Humphrey said even into her fourth season as manager, she does not feel comfortable giving swim advice to team members. She said she’s there cheering the girls on with the coaches.

“I wanted to do something new and different in high school, which is what high school is all about,” Humphrey said of her NCMP experience. “I’m having fun being a part of the team — the family. Coach P and Coach Forsyth have always involved Austin and I as just two other members of the team.”

“This has been a very good learning experience. Of course Coach P knows way more than I do, but being able to bring a different look at things for swimmers,” Bunker said. “It’s been kind of cool, especially since I can see myself coaching swimming sometime down the road. There’s a lot to be enjoyed about it.”

After this week’s two meets, Bunker and Humphrey have four possibly five meets with the state meet remaining in the managerial careers for NCMP.

“These two have been super dependable, and we are so proud to be able to say that they are four-year managers,” Patterson said. “Overall, they have given their time selflessly and care about our swimming and diving program.They will both be greatly missed.”

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
641-792-3121 ext. 6535
or jsheets@newtondailynews.com