The Independence swim team has started their program off with an undefeated record, paving the path for the future swim teams to come.
In their first meet, both the girls’ and boys’ teams defeated Dominion with an overall score of 147-139. Although being a new team puts them at a disadvantage, freshman Kylie Boyle said, “We were expecting a win because we’ve been practicing so hard, and we’ve been putting in so much effort.” The coaches started preparing the team as soon as tryouts were over to strengthen the swimmers individually and as a team.
Independence Swim cheers for fellow swimmers on Jan. 4 2020.
Junior JT Collier says, “Webb has definitely whipped us up into shape- a lot of hard preseason practices working both the club swimmers and the non-club swimmers with turns and dives. He has really focused on the details of swimming to get us ready for our first few meets.”
Since this is the Independence swim team’s first year, and they have not gotten to bond as much as other teams who have been in existence much longer, bonding is key to building the team and creating a much stronger environment and space for the swimmers.
Sophomore Tatum Wall emphasized the importance of bonding and creating new traditions throughout the first season. “I’ve learned that team culture is really important,” she said. “Getting to know people on the team is just as important as how good you are.”
Despite the season’s success, junior JT Collier admitted a few qualms. “I think our toughest competition is going to be ourselves because of how we work together and form our relays and set up for the meet,” he said. “That’s probably our hardest thing.”
Even though they may be hard workers, according to Wall,“We definitely have room to improve. We all know each other fairly well, but a lot of the swimmers are freshmen, and I know a lot of the upperclassmen don’t know them as well.” While acknowledging their challenges, the team is hopeful that their success will continue.
And it has. The first year program went to regionals on Feb. 8 and won the region championship title. The team is now scheduled to compete and participate at States on Feb. 21, 2020 at Richmond, VA.
The Independence swim program recites their cheer before competing on Jan. 4, 2020.