Girls swim and dive season approaches
Junior swimmer Gabbi Miller swims the butterfly stroke in the Southwest pool on Monday, February 9th for her club team, Tsunami.
Two time State champion girl’s swim and dive team launches into their season on March 2.
The swimmers will have a rigorous practice schedule. Every day after school and on Saturday mornings. The athletes know that this is necessary in order to win state again.
The varsity swimmers and divers have already been practicing on year-long club teams to prepare for the upcoming season. Junior diver Becca Gregory practices five days a week and the practices are five hours long. She has been working really hard since State last year to achieve her goal.
“My senior year, I want to break the state record,” Gregory said.
The swim team wants to do what they have done in previous years just as good or even better.
“Their [the swimmers’] goal is to repeat as state champions.” said swimming coach Arvel McElroy.
The team feels that they can achieve this goal easily.
“Swimming is 95 percent mental,” said junior swimmer Madison Ruffalo. “If we can get the team in that positive mindset, we will do great.”
The team has been working hard to make their times better.
“I think my fastest time for the 500 free is 5:33,” Ruffalo said. “For the 100 fly it is 1:04.”
“50 free would be 25.9 [seconds],” Miller said. “2:07 for the 200 free.”
Plus, the team is like one big family; always encouraging each other. They have all become really good friends. They love getting together and just hanging out.
“Team dinners are always so much fun,” Miller said. “We just have fun together even though we are technically on different teams. We are all just really good friends.”
“We always motivate each other.” Ruffalo said.
The team loves what they do and have fun with it.
“I love feeling fast,” Ruffalo said.
“When I dive, I just don’t think.” Gregory said.
Junior diver Becca Gregory dives at Roeland Park Aquatics Center on Sunday, February 8th to practice for the upcoming season.
Despite the competition at State, the coach still has high hopes.
“I think they have a good shot at winning State,” McElroy said. “A lot of it will have to do with who comes out and putting people in the right events and figuring out what our strengths are.”
With new team members, this is especially important. The juniors and seniors do everything they can to make the newbies feel welcome.
“Now that I’m a junior, I should be a leader for the underclassmen,” Miller said. “They look to the seniors and juniors. I need to be a role model for myself and the rest of the team.”
The team is trying to make the most of this year because at least two varsity swimmers will be graduating this year, “it just depends on who comes out,” said Miller.
“I’m going to work them hard and keep them focused.” McElroy said.
The team is ready and excited for the season. They can’t wait for state and will do everything in their power to win it for the third time in a row. They are willing to work every day to achieve their goals.
Ruffalo said, “It’s the greatest feeling in the world to do well and to know all of your hard work has payed off.”
