SWIM AND DIVE THE RUBICON - JANUARY 2022
TROJAN SWIM & DIVE
RUBICON PHOTO: Salah Abdukarim
BY THE NUMBERS team 398 Total score after
4th in 4 Ranked the Maroon and
5
3
21.6 Average amount of
2
meet on the 8th
Coaches in the past three years
11
Gold invite 2022 Tiger Division
points scored by SPA swimmers at the last meet
A DIFFERENT ELEMENT. Sophomore Connor Overgaard dives into the water. “In terms of competition, swimming is a fight for every hundredth against yourself and for your team. It’s literally a different element humans were never built for.“
Na placed 5th in the 200 yard free relay
Bangoura placed 2nd in the 200 yard medley relay
WHERE THERE’S A WILL, THERE’S A WAVE
Trojans swim through adversity ANNIE BAI
THE RUBICON
As the Trojan Swim team’s season begins, they find themselves yet again with a different coach for the third season in a row. After last year’s Coach Sam left, the team now needs to adjust to new coach Dan Hansen and the assistant coach Charles Spencer quickly with their first meet coming up soon against Como Park on December 15th. “Where did Sam go? No one really knows.” junior Tuco Dixon said. Despite this major change, the team feels optimistic for their upcoming season, “We have quite a few new swimmers this year, so I think we have a chance at being even more competitive in our conference than last year.” sophomore Rishi Bhargava said. With the coaching change, the students have more or less gotten into a consistent training schedule practicing technique drills daily. Many new swimmers are still getting a feel for the sport so students of all levels are welcome to try out. The limitations on practices and meets caused by Covid still remain, this year, there is no bus offered for the swimmers which makes transportation to their training pool difficult for the younger students that can’t drive yet. Luckily the team captains senior Pah Na and junior Tenzin Bawa have been a huge help in providing transportation as needed. It is because of the combined effort of these helpful team members that the SPA Trojans can continue, “Collectively, with teammates from highland, we prevented the co-op from disbanding.” Bhargava said. The swimmers all have their favorite moments both in and out of the pool. “My favorite moment of all of swim is the annual photo that my friends and I take on picture day.” Dixon said. Between school, practices, and meets, the swimmers still find time to enjoy and have fun with their team members. “The swim team has such a great team culture. One of my favorite traditions is Post-meet bagels and “tea parties” on the pool floor.” sophomore Connor Overgaard said. The swim team is always looking for more students to share these experiences with, email the team captains if you are interested in joining.
RUBICON PHOTO: Salah Abdukarim
STRIKE A POSE. Senior Pah Na jokingly poses for a funny photo as he jumps off the diving board.
SEASON AT
OPPONENT
DATE AND TIME
LOCATION
CENTRAL
1/20 5:00 p.m.
HARDING H.S.
CENTRAL, COMO PARK, HARDING, HUMBOLDT, PAUL JOHNSON
1/27 5:30 p.m.
HUMBOLDT H.S.
CENTRAL, COMO PARK, HARDING, HUMBOLDT, PAUL JOHNSON
1/28 6:00 p.m.
ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY
A GLANCE
? Who do you think will be the MVP this season and why?
“
Personally, I think that our team will be hard carried by Connor Overguard, Rishi Bhargava, Miles Kao, and Gabriel Bangoura. -Tuco Dixon
“
I’m a flexible swimmer who basically swims whatever event would be most beneficial to my team depending on the meet. That is everything except breaststroke—I leave that to Rishi. -Connor Overgaard
“
I think Gabriel Bangoura will be the MVP on the swim team because this is his first year on the team, he’s been an exceptional swimmer and a great teammate. - Tenzin Bawa
“
I think it will be Pah Na because he always swims the events nobody else wants to, and it helped us to not lose a meet. He also has good team spirit. -Gabriel Bangoura
“
We are all competitive swimmers. Gabriel, Connor, and I were all mentioned, as well as Miles Kao who goes to Highland. -Rishi Bhargava
