The student news site of St. Teresa's Academy

DartNewsOnline

Breaking News
The student news site of St. Teresa's Academy

DartNewsOnline

The student news site of St. Teresa's Academy

DartNewsOnline

Dart News

STA swim team participates in first meet

STA+swim+team+participates+in+first+meet
r
story by Emily McCann, photos by Sara Meurer

It is hot and humid, the smell of chlorine is overwhelming and the sounds of cheering fills the heavy air. Girls run around in towels preparing for their next race.

It’s Dec. 7 and the first meet of the year for the STA Swim team at Centennial Pool in Blue Springs. This first meet consists solely of relays, meaning no one swims individual events, instead swimmers are placed on relay teams to compete in events such as the four man 800 free relay.

Swim team head coach Andrew Wilcox believes the first meet of the season was a positive start for his team.

“The meet went well,” Wilcox said. “We had two new state qualifying times in the 200 free relay and the 400 free relay.”

Wilcox also believes that starting off with a nonconventional meet is a good transition into the more difficult parts of the season.

“[Starting with the relay meet] allows [the swimmers] a chance to improve their times and qualify for state without the pressure of a ‘high end’ meet,” Wilcox said. “It is a good measurement of where we are and where we need to go.”

[nggallery id=401]

Swim team captain Jane Evans agrees with Wilcox that the relay meet is a laid back way to gain experience. Evans says that the team has been working hard to meet goals that have been set for the more critical meets this season.

“The KC Classic is coming up,” Evans said. “It is a two day preliminary – final meet. [Independent League Championships] are also an important meet for [the team.] We hope to gain more state cuts and varsity times at these meets and just place really well overall.”

Wilcox agrees, stating that the swimmers have been working hard on good wall work, breathing, speed and swimming with good technique while tired.

“Our long term goals include winning ILC’s for the 4th year in a row,” Wilcox said. “We also would like to continue to improve our ranking [at the state meet.]”

According to sophomore team member Lauren Zastrow, practices have been tailored to prepare the swimmers for whatever comes their way this season.

“Practice is so hard,” Zastrow said. “We usually do two sprint sets or a really long set. Practices really just depend on what meet is coming up.”

Zastrow also says that Wilcox has been instrumental in getting the team excited for the season ahead.

“Coach really wants us to bond and swim for each other,” Zastrow said. “He has been really happy this season and has a good attitude. I think his goals are realistic and he is focusing on us liking the sport and also doing really well.”

Evans believes that overall the team is prepared for the season ahead.

“[The team] is off to a good start,” Evans said. “We spend a lot of time together so we are all very close with each other. We have fun, but you can tell that everyone is taking it seriously when it needs to be taken seriously.”

 

Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

Please review the Dart's editorial policy before commenting. Please use your first and last name; anonymous comments will not be published.
All DartNewsOnline Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *