The girls swimming and diving team wrapped up their most impressive season in years, with a young core of swimmers who have worked tirelessly to be able to showcase their exceptional talent.
“They had a really strong willingness to work hard for the team and a willingness to show up and succeed,” head coach John Sincroft said.
The Lady Warriors have had a lot of success this season, including winning their last home meet of the year at the Warrior Invitational.
The team broke their school record in the 200 yard free relay. The relay team was comprised of all returners for next year in sophomores Therese Dao, Marlene Taevere, Jaci Merchant and freshman Riley Bryk.
“We didn't expect to break the record that night, but it was a really nice surprise. It's awesome to have a relay of all underclassmen accomplish such a big goal,” Dao said.
The team would later break that record again with a time of 1:45.69.
Dao is no stranger to having to help her team win meets. For the past two years, she has been leaned on in big races but has not let that affect her performance.
“Being put in this position for the last two years has put a lot of pressure on me, but I enjoy being able to contribute what I can to the team,” Dao said.
Dao is not the only outstanding young swimmer. Bryk has been doing well all season for the girls in her first year, earning a fourth place finish in the 200 yard free at County. No one has been more surprised about her success than her.
“If you had told me in 8th grade that I would break two individual records before the end of the season, I would have laughed,” Bryk said.
Even with her success this year, Bryk still knows where she can improve and how she can become an even better swimmer.
“My determination will help erase my weaknesses because I know what it takes to make it to the top,” Bryk said. “My determination is what fuels me.”
With all of the young swimmers coming up, it was helpful to have veteran leadership on the team to help the younger swimmers.
“[The seniors] were good leaders for us,” Sincroft said. “They helped with how to handle yourself in meets and sticking up for teammates, they were great role models in that way.”
The team will be saying goodbye to senior Rayna Goodin, who had her share of success as a Warrior, having broken two records of her own during her time on the team. She also had a good season winning the 500 freestyle at the Warrior Invitational.
The girls had a strong showing in the first round of sectionals with five school records broken and three top five finishes. The Lady Warriors would keep that momentum going into the second round of sectionals with four more school records broken.
Sadly that would be their last meet of the season, but with all of the young talent they have the team looks to advance farther next year.
“I think the experience they got this year is going to help our team propel forward in the future,” Sincroft said.