Brothers Bolster Wildcats

STAFF PHOTO ANTHONY REYES 
Ben, left, and John Parmer are brothers with the Har-Ber swim team. Ben, a senior, has qualified in five events for the state meet and John, a sophomore, has qualified in two events.
STAFF PHOTO ANTHONY REYES Ben, left, and John Parmer are brothers with the Har-Ber swim team. Ben, a senior, has qualified in five events for the state meet and John, a sophomore, has qualified in two events.

— Ben and John Parmer are brothers with bright futures.

Ben, a senior, will find out in late February whether he has been accepted into the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. John, a sophomore, hopes to major in biochemistry in college and attend medical school afterward.

Although academics remain a priority, the brothers find time for sports as swimmers for Springdale Har-Ber. That became a possibility earlier this season after the Arkansas Activities Association ruled home-school students eligible for high school athletics.

The boys live in Springdale and take classes at Har-Ber in addition to completing their regular assignments at home. Har-Ber coach Samantha Couch spotted the boys swimming with the AquaHawgs, a club team, and asked them to join the Wildcats.

“She told us about the new rule and asked if we wanted to swim for Har-Ber,” said Ben, who is taking an advanced placement calculus class at Har-Ber this semester. “I was excited about it and I thought it would be a cool experience to be on the team my last year. It’s been fun and I’ve met some new people.”

Couch is equally pleased with the arrangement.

“It has been such an honor to have Ben and John on the team this year,” Couch said. “Both boys are hardworking and dedicated swimmers and they set a great example for the rest of the team. They set the bar a little higher.”

Ben is a well-rounded swimmer who has qualified for the state meet in the 200-yard intermediate, the 50-yard free style, the 100-yard free style, the 200-yard freestyle and the 100-yard backstroke. His best event is the 50-yard free style, where he’s been timed in 23.6 seconds. John has state qualifying times in the 100-yard fly and 50-yard free style events.

“Both boys have wonderful technique and talent,” Couch said. “I can put them in any race and i know they are going to get a fast time.”

Although new to Har-Ber, Ben and John are experienced swimmers who began at an early age. Ben started swimming with the AquaHawgs when he was 10 and John started when he was eight.

“They’re great kids with great attitudes,” AquaHawgs coach Scott Berry said. “I can’t say enough good things about them.”

Ben, 18, said he enjoys being on the same team at Har-Ber with his younger brother, John, 16. But the two aren’t above displaying a little sibling rivalry while competing.

“Sometimes, we’ll talk a little smack before a race, but we don’t tear each other down,” John said. “It’s a good experience to share a sports with your brother.”

Like most area teams, Har-Ber’s schedule has been disrupted by the weather. They’ve had only three meets, including one at Hendrix College in Conway over the weekend. The biggest events will be held next month with the district meet at the Jones Center in Springdale on 
Feb. 20 and the state meet in Little Rock Feb. 28-March 1.

Har-Ber finished 17th last year at the state meet, well behind first-place Bentonville and runner-up Little Rock Central.

“I think our team will do pretty well this year,” Ben said. “We’ve got some good swimmers and everyone is working hard.”

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