During her first three years of swimming at Central, senior Josie Ebel has broken five individual school records – and is striving for more.  

“This season is my last one in high school, so I’m really looking forward to pulling off some things that I never thought I could do before,” Ebel said. “There are eight school records that I can hold, and I currently hold five.”

At the league meet last season, Ebel swam four events, and broke the school record in all of them.

“When a new swimmer asked me what a good time for a 50 free was,” assistant coach Mandy Ediger said. “I pointed up to the record board to say, ‘Well, Josie swims it in 25 seconds, but for a first year swimmer at the start of the season under a minute is a huge milestone.'”

Ebel said she began swimming in elementary school, and has pushed herself to improve ever since.

“I tried out for the swim club in Salina when I was 9, and I just really enjoyed it,” Ebel said. “I liked the people there because they were pushing me to always do my best.” 

Junior Kristina Perkins said Ebel is a helpful and enjoyable teammate to have.

“When I swim with Josie she makes it fun to be there,” Perkins said. “She’s very welcoming to any new people on the team. she teaches very well when someone asks her a question.”

Ediger said that Ebel is an example for the team and she will leave a lasting impact.

“With Josie, she has a true love and passion for the pool,” Ediger said. “To have her excitement for swimming coupled with her ability, that is a spark that will be missed.”

Ebel said she is looking forward to her future at the university both academically and athletically.

“Overall, the school was just really great,” Ebel said. “I think I have a lot of good opportunities there, and I’m really excited to see what I can do.”

The goal is to make sure Central’s team is feeling well before big meets, Ebel said.

“I try to make sure that the team is feeling great and that we are all super excited,” Ebel said. “As long as you’ve got it in your mind that you can do it, then you’ll swim it.”

Ebel received a scholarship and is planning to attend the University of Nebraska at Kearney next year to swim and major in elementary education.

“The coaches are really great when it comes to the swimming aspect of it,” Ebel said. “The coaches, the teammates, and just seeing how hard they all push each other and everything made me like it.”