By Mira Branham | Reporter

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The powerful, steady strokes of muscled arms. The rhythmic thumps of diving boards. The refreshing splash of water. Swimming and Diving season has begun.

With four meets already under their swim caps, both teams are deep into the season of tiring early-morning practices and competition schedules. How do they stay in such good spirits? Senior Victoria Wendt said positivity is the key.

“Having an encouraging environment at all times is important,” Wendt said. “As well as making everyone feel like they add value to the team.”

The swim team, led by coach Jon Karr, is looking forward to making another trip to the state tournament at the Indiana University Natatorium in February.

“People should be looking forward to us dropping lots of times at Sectionals this year,” Wendt said. “We hope to be sending multiple individuals and relays to state.”

As for the personal goals of the athletes, the common theme is self-improvement. Senior Lauren Myers said she would like to be one of the faster people in the 100-butterfly, but added she does not enjoy the 500-freestyle.

“I want everyone to want to work hard at practice,” Myers said. “I want them to get along and have fun so that we can win Sectionals together.”

Sophomore Kamryn Elder said her goals in and out of the water are to have a positive attitude when told to do new things, and to show off the divers’ team spirit.

“I just want to really clean up my dives,” Elder said. “I want to get one-and-a-halves in every direction [front, back, inwards & reverse] including twisters.”

Sophomore Shelby Duncan said that the crowd should anticipate good dives and look forward to watching them.

“My goal for in the water is to get a flip in each of the four positions,” Duncan said. “Out of the water, I want to keep a positive approach and not get scared of throwing a dive.”

The next meet for the swimmers and divers is an away-meet vs. Center Grove. It starts at 6 p.m. next Tuesday, December 11.

Photo by Tara Martin