Northview’s swim team enters the season with determination and high hope.

Photos courtesy of Urja Atre

Hritvi Ahuja, Staff Writer

After losing two years of in-person practice during COVID-19 and experiencing rough seasons in the past, the Northview swim team has come up with new strategies for the upcoming season. Students have learned that swimming at the high school level involves coming together as a team while highlighting individual performances. Students have grown from technique to teamwork and have learned how to improve in time management and responsibility. The team’s goal this year is to create a relationship in and out of the water and to have a spirited season ahead of them. 

“I am excited where this season is going, and I am hoping that [the students] can grow more as a team as they were excited in the beginning,” the new swim team coach, Simon Roberts, said. “Even though swimming is an individual sport, in high school, they still are a team, and they need to come more together as one.”

Simon Roberts, who swam at a Division II college, teaches students about proper technique and to give all of their energy while swimming. Along with Roberts, Coach Tejaswi Yalavarthi learns the students' behaviors, having done so for the past four years. Despite coaching an academic school, Yalavarthi understands the students and knows that they can win this season.

“I see them bond more. Before, they used to space out and do their individual things, but, over time, they [began to] sing and listen to music together on the bus rides,” Yalavarthi said. “By doing this, I see an actual team, and it is shown in our performance.”

Swimming is a sport that needs dedication; the swim team practices at 5:30 a.m. and after school when meets are around the corner. Juggling both school and swimming requires responsibility, and the coaches teach the students about how important time management is. In the 2019 and 2021 seasons, the team placed in the state for both boys and girls. They remain hopeful for similar successful finishes this year due to their constant determination and motivation. The students placed first overall in their Gobble Wobble meet, going up against some of the toughest schools. 

“It feels really great being captain, like an excited rush,” senior Urja Atre said. “I am excited to see where we as a team will head in the upcoming events.” 

Students who become captains their senior year take the opportunity of getting to know their new teammates better. There are currently four captains on the team, and their senior night was something special to them. Atre has been swimming for the past 12 years individually but truly connected with the sport when she joined the Northview swim team. 

“Being on the swim team has been a bittersweet feeling. I am really excited for what the future holds for us,” junior Grace Yu said.