As the swim season approaches, excitement and anticipation fill the air among the team members. Ryan Lighthill, a sophomore, shares her mixed emotions about the upcoming season. “I’m kinda excited for the season, kind of nervous because there’s a lot of competition and good swimmers out there so I want to do well,” she admits. Despite the nerves, Lighthill is looking forward to the new faces joining the team, “Honestly I’m glad there’s more people coming for the team because I get to meet some new people and see some new faces,” she adds.
Lighthill’s dedication to the sport is evident in her preparation, “I feel like I’ve been training and preparing really well in the off-season and pre-season to do well in the season.” Her main goal is to set a positive example for the newcomers. “The thing I’m most excited for this season is getting better and trying to set a good example for the newer swimmers and like to guide them a little,” she explains.
Sarah Claveria, a senior, echoes Ryan’s enthusiasm, “I’m really excited for the season and ready to get back into it after being off-season and pre-season,” she says. The influx of new swimmers is a highlight for her as well. “What excites me the most is all the new people coming out for swimming and trying something new,” she notes.
Claveria has set personal goals for the season, focusing on continuous improvement. “A goal I’ve set for myself is to keep pushing myself and get better every day, and I’m ready to learn more and get even better,” she shares. She also wants to help the new swimmers acclimate. “The new swimmers are still new and haven’t used to doing stuff like this so I want to welcome them as best as I can,” she adds.
The team’s coach, Tracey Lonn, is also optimistic about the season, despite some logistical challenges. “So far, we’re looking pretty good, but we haven’t officially started the season yet, so everything’s just been pre-season,” she says. The lack of starting blocks at the rec center is a notable hurdle. “Our biggest challenge is always the fact that the rec center doesn’t have starting blocks,” Lonn explains.
To mitigate this, the coach seeks alternative solutions. “I try to find a place that has a pool that has starting blocks, or try to get to our first competition early so that we can have a little extra time with those starting blocks before we start our first competition,” she said. Her ultimate goal for the team is simple yet meaningful. “My high hopes are that our girls just do their best and have fun while they’re doing it. It’s always my goal for the season,” she said. As the season kicks off, the blend of excitement, preparation, and sets a promising tone for the team’s journey ahead.
