At the Aquatic Center, the Swim Team placed third for both boys and girls against seven other schools on Jan. 11 beating out Denmark and Lambert. The swimmers have been working diligently for upcoming meets for county and state. Many swimmers have already received a state cut individually or as a relay. 

In the girls 200 meter medley relay, Ansley Grimes, Gracie Runion, Julia Wickman and Bella Landis earned a state cut for swimming it in 2:05.57. Julia Wickman thought that her performance was “pretty good but [she] could work on [her] turns.” The group competed in heat 2 in lane 6. Their heat means which round they swim in. Heat 1 is typically slower than heat 2 and so on.

Freshman Peyton Stenander dropped 4 seconds in her 100 freestyle, and Julia Wickman dropped 15 in her 500 freestyle. The 500 freestyle is hard work containing 20 laps. According to Lauren Fields, another varsity swimmer, her goal for the season was “to drop time,” so Peyton Stenander and Julia Wickman are exceeding doing well.

All of the coaches agree with Coach Tyler Martin when he says that the team is “supporting one another” and “lifting each other up.” I had the opportunity to hang out with the team all day to conduct interviews and observe, and I agree that it is such a positive environment. It would make anyone want to join the swim team based on how welcoming and kind the team is. His only concern with the team was that they have created a consistent pattern of “DQing” their events or “not finishing.”

Steadily, many swimmers said that Matthew Luther, Hailey Galbriath, Will Riley and Mc Thompson are good leaders and stand out to them as excellent swimmers. They also described them as positive role models.

The n=North Swim Team has a little bit of work to do before state, but overall, the team is like a family. Even  though swim meets can be coatic, they all work together perfectly cheering each other on for every event.