dive right in

The swim and dive team’s season has been going swimmingly.

The swim and dive team started the season with a splash after winning their first meet against Belton and Grain Valley High Schools Nov. 30, 2022. They also defeated St. Teresa's Academy in a dual meet Dec. 7, 2022. The team has continually placed in the top 10 at their invitationals, most recently placing 10th at the Kansas City Classic Jan. 13 and 14 with a score of 108 points.

“I am very pleased with the season thus far,” head coach Kelly Timson said. “The girls are working very hard in practice each day and their hard work is showing in meets.”

The biggest challenge for the team this season has been the practice schedule. The team alternates practice times with STA at the Goppert Rock Plex, one week practicing 5:30 to 7:15 AM and the following week practicing from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. The changing practice times have made it difficult for the athletes to get into a solid routine.

“The biggest challenge for flipping practices would be the sleep schedule,” junior Ava Townsend said. “It’s mentally challenging to get ourselves up but that’s what makes us stronger.”

As the season comes to a close, the team is looking ahead to Interleague Championships Feb. 6 and 7, and hoping to win after losing to STA in the meet last year due to the disqualification of a relay. Multiple swimmers, freshmen Burke Sutton and Ella Meraz and Townsend, have already earned state consideration, and the team is set to travel to St. Peters, Missouri. for the state championship Feb. 17 and 18.

“I have loved getting to be a part of a team where everyone supports each other,” cocaptain senior Paige Castillo said. “No matter if you do really well in a race or maybe you didn’t get the time you wanted, we are all there to lift each other up.”