Diving into a new season

Swimmers practice backstroke at Dynamo.

Meghana Ramineni, Features Editor

Nikki Skyer, Sports Editor & Grace Nguyen, Staff Writer 

   The Northview swim team sends several team members to state each year. This year, the team expects no different. With the season beginning at the end of this past fall, there is a lot of excitement from swimmers and their fans. The team is focusing on building a strong dynamic and creating relationships both in and out of the water. 

   “There are a lot more people than last year, so we have been doing more team-building outside of school,” senior Chris Shin said. 

   Emily Wei, another senior on the team, feels good about state. She stayed on the Northview swim team for the past four years. In high school, Wei swam for 12 years and she wants to continue swimming in clubs her college years. Emily joined the swim team to help her with stress and school, but also because it is fun. Being around the team and how the competition is always energetic makes her want to keep swimming. 

   “I’ve been training a lot and working out a lot so hopefully I’ll drop time for state,” Wei said.

   Wei would also like to set a good example for all the other swimmers on the team, especially since she is a senior. She hopes everyone is always trying and doing their best in every meet. Emily trains a lot and works out a lot to push herself to do things she never thought she would, while also getting ready for the season.

   Underclassmen on the team are very excited about the season and sending upperclassmen to state this year. They got a chance to be mentored and led by their older teammates and cannot wait for what this upcoming season has in store. Sophomore swimmer Sophie Deyoung is continuing on into her second season on the Northview team and is confident that the season will result in success.

   “The team always tries their best and is sure to keep each other motivated through everything,” Deyoung said.

    The Georgia state championship will occur in February, and several seniors and juniors expect to attend. The team is focusing on sending as many swimmers as possible to state as well as developing the underclassmen’s’ skills. 

   “At practices and meets, we will often stop to give advice and help the younger kids improve. The upperclassmen are really committed to helping others,” Shin said. 

   The coaches’ motivation pushes the team to state as well. They are focused on what the team members do best individually and what events they would want to swim at or most comfortable with swimming at. The motivation for a swimmer is to set a good example for other swimmers to do what they do best. Motivating swimmers make them confident to try complex strokes.

   “We would never force anyone to swim in events they are not comfortable in. We, of course, do the obvious of encouraging them and being available,” Coach Stephanie Rogman said.

   The coaches also encourage them to try to reach outside of their comfort zone and swimming at events they are not comfortable with. The coaches do not force them into doing something they do not feel ready for, but they try their best to get the swimmers to become better. Swimming out of their comfort zone will improve a lot of things for the swimmers as they will achieve more goals and accomplishments. 

   Coaches and swimmers alike are very eager to put their best foot forward in the meets this season. Because of their constant hard work and determination, the upcoming competitions are looking good for the Northview swim team.