The swim and dive team prevailed at the annual district meet on Friday Jan. 17. The boys came in first against eight other teams, and the girls came in second. Collectively, the Warriors came in first overall. 

In the weeks leading up to the meet, coach Matthew McBrearty and assistant coach Austin Franklin changed the practice schedule, allowing swimmers to choose from going to the weight room or the pool. In the week of districts, many swimmers decided to taper, allowing their bodies to recover and be ready for the meet. 

“The week leading up to districts is my favorite,” Mayra Puga ‘21 said, “The practices become a lot more chill and we start focusing on the events that we are going to swim. It’s really helpful.” 

At this district meet, the top six swimmers in each event move on to regionals, and top three overall get awarded with gold, silver, and bronze medals. In many of these events, the Warriors took the top three spots, sweeping the competition. All three girl divers who competed made it to regionals, taking the top three spots at districts. 

“I was really excited when I heard the three of us got first second and third place,” dive captain Sami Greisdorf ‘21 said. “Not only did we earn points for the team, but all three of us are going to regionals, which is going to be very fun and exciting.” 

Throughout the meet, the Warriors stood cheering for each other in every event. Coach McBrearty made sure that if a swimmer wasn’t swimming, they were standing on the sidelines cheering for their teammates. 

“Standing behind the block and seeing your team cheering for you means a lot,” Nathaniel Thomas ‘20 said. “It reminds you that you have a group of people who love and support you, and gives you some sort of motivation to go faster.” 

During the meet both A team relays for girls and boys won the 400-yard freestyle relay, as well as the 200-yard freestyle relay. 

“I was so proud of our relays when I heard we made regionals,” Benji Truong ‘21 said, “We’ve worked hard all season, so it’s really satisfying to know that it paid off.” 

In the boys’ 100-yard freestyle, Sonny Wang ‘23, Caleb Farris ‘20, and Nathan Early ‘20 all competed in the same heat. Coming in first with 46.90 was Early, and Wang was close behind with a time of 46.91. Farris came in fourth clocking in at 48.15. 

“I wasn’t too nervous swimming in a heat with a bunch of seniors,” Wang said. “Nathan and Caleb are very talented swimmers, and I’m just happy I got to swim with them.” 

The swim and dive team will travel to Mansfield, Texas to compete in the Regional Championship meet from Jan. 31 to Feb. 1.