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In the “cool down” lane, Vincent Zhang ’26 debriefs a race to Harry Xiang ’28. Athletes had extra lanes to warm-up before their events and cool-down afterwards to keep muscles warm and ideas cool.
Courtesy of Ian Leong
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Gasping for a breath, Sara Dumitru ’28 takes one quick last breath before hitting the wall, finishing strong with no more energy left. Athletes such as Dumitru ’28 see more results when they pace their race.
Courtesy of Ian Leong
Keeping up tradition, both the women’s and men’s swim & dive placed high at the District Opener Meet on Thursday Sept. 25; competing against their biggest rivals, Vandegrift and Mcneil high school. The girls’ team came in first place with 166 points and the boys swung fourth place with 87 points.
The Round Rock Aquatic Center was filled with excitement and anticipation as the 2025 Fall RRISD District Opener began. With a winning history, swim & dive represent the best parts of sports; a close-knit team, and a distinguished sense of respect.
“It’s just such a different feeling whenever you’re going up there with your whole team cheering for you than with no one cheering for you,” Daria Freehill ‘28 said. “It just motivates you so much.”
Joining six other schools, the swim & dive team was not guaranteed a spot on the podium when attempting to qualify for this event; however, they quickly defeated competition and dominated the different events.
“In a way, this kind of bonded us all together because it’s our first meet and we were all really hyped,” Araiya Ferron ‘29 said. “Everybody was supportive and nice, and it was also just really fun to have a win.”
Each swimmer participated in two individual events and either the 400 meter freestyle relay, the 200 meter freestyle relay, or the most appreciated; the 200 meter medley relay consisting of a 50 meter backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle.
“In the 200 medley relay, we all went in a huddle and kneeled, and did the sko-wood sign, ” Ferron ‘29 said. “I thought it was really cool and a memorable moment.”
With only two divers able to compete, Jazzlyn Vaughan ‘26 and Leilani Adair ‘28 , the diving team still managed to accumulate ten points throughout the event.
“To have that one big loud burst of cheering right before it goes silent [gets you] to focus on your dive knowing that people who really want to see your best work are watching you,” Adair ‘28 said. “And [then] I received a lot of great comments from other people saying that was nice.”
Although swimming remains an individual sport, relays foster closeness as athletes compete together for a win. Always finishing on the podiums, Westwood shows a tight-knit community filled with talent and support.
“We cheer like true warriors. We chant together. We become one together,” Anika Sharma ‘26 said. “We are one team and we swim for each other.”
The swim & dive team will host their next swim meet, “MavWood Invitationals” at the Round Rock Aquatic Center on Thursday Oct. 2.
