SPORTS

Photo: Abby Prestholdt Flying:

Boys’ swimming competes at Sections

Kate Schneider

kateschneider@slpecho.com

Aer winning its conference earlier this season, boys’ swimming went on to place third in Sections March 13 and sent multiple swimmers to state.

Senior captain Ben St. Clair said his favorite part of Sections was supporting his teammates and dropping time along with everyone else.

“It was great. Just getting to cheer everyone on because at Sections the energy is di erent because you never know how much time people are going to drop. So I really liked watching all my teammates swim and seeing everyone go personal bests,” St. Clair said.

According to assistant coach Joe Yaeger, COVID-19 changed the pace of the season, but the team adapted to it and ended the season on a high note at sections.

“With this year being so di erent, and it went really fast, meaning the boys didn’t have a lot of breaks and it was just go, go, go. e boys were able to change their mentality and swim very well,” Yaeger said.

Senior captain Connor Coleman said Sections felt di erent due to COVID-19, but he thought the meet went very well.

“Sections was awesome this year. It was a lot di erent without the fans in the stands and being closer to your team,” Coleman said.

According to St. Clair, the lack of fans was most noticeable during the relays, but challenged the swimmers to keep the energy up themselves.

“Usually during the relays, all the fans get really hyped up. Since there was no one in the crowd, you had to nd that motivation from yourself,” St. Clair said. “You had to be more self motivated and count on your teammates to cheer you on.”

According to Coleman, he enjoyed seeing his teammates’ hard work pay o at sections.

“I loved seeing the improvement from each of the boys and seeing so many people qualify for state,” Coleman said.

St. Clair said making it to State is a big accomplishment.

“It’s really ful lling because it’s my last season. Also, I think everyone’s just grateful that we get to have state this year with COVID(-19) so I’m just really excited,” St. Clair said.

According to Yaeger, everyone on the State team earned their spot, and he is excited to see how the team ends its season at the meet.

“I’m excited about all the seniors and upperclassmen swimming at state because they’ve worked really hard throughout their entire high school career. I hope they take it in this one last time and understand how good they are and that they deserve it all,” Yaeger said. “And I hope they have a good time and drop some time and earn the respect that they deserve.”

Boys’ swimming

Andre Barajas: 500 freestyle Connor Coleman: 400 freestyle relay Hiro McKee: 400 freestyle relay 100 freestyle 400 freestyle relay 400 freestyle relay determined as of March 17

OUT OF THE PARK

Jayde Claussen jaydeclaussen@slpecho.com

Usually by this time of year, the lacrosse team has captains’ practices to work out together and practice our skills in preparation for tryouts, which begin in April. To my surprise, the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) has still mandated that there can be no captains’ practices. e idea that I’m on my own to get in shape frightens me.

I can barely walk up the stairs without being winded, so running three miles in 30 minutes with a mask on seemed unimaginable. Nonetheless, I went to the gym that night and began my journey to the nish line. I was ready, motivated and anxious. I decided to take it slow with a fastpaced walk on an incline for an hour to start.

Running is one of my least favorite activities, especially on a treadmill. To spice things up and ght the boredom while working out, I opened up Hulu on my phone and random-

What’s the ly chose a show to

POINT? watch. An hour later, I

Captains’ had nally walked practices three miles. is should still be seems small, but by staying consistent, held despite I am hopeful that I pandemic will build up stamina and cut down that time as the month progresses. With the stress of work and school, I have had to cut down gym time, forcing me to take a break from my workouts.

A er planning a visit to the gym, I was sure I was going to stay persistent. However, as soon as I entered my house, I found a welcoming spot on my bed and slept for the rest of the day. I had been worried about nding motivation all on my own. In previous years, I would have the accountability of a set practice to attend or the general motivation to workout with my teammates and have fun while getting in shape.

When working out, I like to push myself as hard as I can, but with the mask, I have to pace myself more, which I wasn’t used to. I’m hoping that with time, I become more accustomed to it.

In retrospect, there have been things that have gotten in my way of getting in shape. While these are all things I’ve had to adapt to, I’m just fortunate to be able to complete this season. I would do anything to have just one more season, and I am so lucky that I get that chance this year.