Varsity:
While swim and dive may appear to be a sport of their own individual races and times, this season’s team sees it differently. For them, every practice, every meet, and every laugh makes the group feel less like separate competitors and more like a family.
The swim and dive program isn’t just about times, medals, or even state appearances, it’s about the encouragement, teamwork, and dedication that keeps athletes coming back, For known varsity, to JV newcomers, the program is built on relationships in and out of the pool
“My family is my biggest inspiration because they are always there for me and always cheer me on no matter what,” said Emerson Corey, sophomore. “My friends definitely make me stay motivated because they are always there, cheering me on and support me, and just make the swim practices fun.”
The mental side of swim and dive is the toughest part, but it is the support system around the team that keeps everyone pushing. With everyone around, cheering and encouraging, these individuals are able to work their hardest, for both their teammates and themselves.
“Going to the states is one of my proudest moments,” Corey said. “Even though I didn’t swim, it felt like I was part of the team and I contributed.”
That same sense of belonging carries across varsity. Especially for seniors, who have been on the team since their freshman year, the teammates are the biggest cheerleaders.
“[My teammates] push me to actually try in practice. They keep me locked in.” said Oliva Edgar, senior.
The older athletes on the team also recognize how important it is for the team to bond outside of the water. This carries on into competitions by building a stronger trust and unity when it matters most.
“We just really enjoy each others company,” Edgar said. “We take time at practice to do team bonding, and then the seniors organize events to hang out all together. We have a really strong team bond.”
The swimmers add that the friendships tend to extend beyond competition. Explaining that those connections often become lasting ones, where teammates are not just training partners but also close friends who share in everyday life beyond the pool.
“It’s kind of more like a giant friend group,” said Ramirez. “It’s purely who you talk to. You could just be comfortable with it, just sitting here.”
JV:
The team is where swimmers can channel their individual skills and motivation. For the better of the team, especially as the year continues to be a good one, the swimmers have found purpose in competing and contributing to the groups overall growth.
“Most of what you are doing is individual, and nothing is going to motivate you more than you when you are swimming, but having that team to fall back on afterwards is really nice,” said Jameson Billerbeck, sophomore. “It’s been a lot of fun. The team’s awesome this year- just really good people, and we have a good coach.”
That shared spirit is what connects JV and varsity into one group. Whether competing at varsity states or starting out on JV, every athlete knows they are not doing alone.
“We have a lot of fun together, and just kind of do our events, and then we are always alright, just being on the team is great,” said Billerbeck.
