Any team that loses high-achieving members expects an impact on their performance.
Last year’s first senior class was an diverse group, lending their skills and
know-how to the fledgling extracurricular programs of Blue Valley Southwest, and their
influence is not hard to see. Bringing in traditions from both Blue Valley High and Blue Valley West, they helped give shape to a school that had little identity.
Despite some surprising victories, most students and faculty involved in sports at Southwest will agree that there were some less-than-stellar performances during the past two seasons.
However, one group has had almost universal success across the board, leaving behind excuses to head toward improvement.
Southwest’s swimmers and divers have competed against schools with both established and successful programs and have never scored below third place at a competitive meet.
“We were really expecting to take an arrow to the knee this year,” said sophomore junior varsity swimmer Tristan King. “We didn’t go in expecting to do that well, with all our seniors gone, so we were all pleasantly surprised.”
Their records show the improvement. “I have to admit, the freshmen really helped there,” King said. “Most of them have been swimming for a long time outside of school and they were really prepared for competitive
swimming.”
Despite the sport’s reputation as a self-reliant sport, teamwork is major factor for success.
“I think team unity was really a big part of [our success],” said senior varsity diver Brian
Turner. “We have team dinners before every meet, where we can just talk […] things like that
really help us come together.”
Swimming, both at practice and at other events, creates an environment that builds
healthy competition.
“Sure, you’re competing against the other schools, but that’s kind of a backdrop,” Turner
said. “It’s mainly about how you challenge yourself – you’re competing against your teammates
and friends, and against yourself, that’s the main thing.”
“We’re a really close group, and that’s where most of the motivation comes
from,” King said.
The team is in the process of performing at the state competition, making it a natural time to reflect on the season as a whole.
“We definitely could have applied ourselves more at some things, but we got a lot better overall this year,” King said. “We’re happy because we improved, and that’s all we can really ask for.”
Last year’s first senior class was an diverse group, lending their skills and
know-how to the fledgling extracurricular programs of Blue Valley Southwest, and their
influence is not hard to see. Bringing in traditions from both Blue Valley High and Blue Valley West, they helped give shape to a school that had little identity.
Despite some surprising victories, most students and faculty involved in sports at Southwest will agree that there were some less-than-stellar performances during the past two seasons.
However, one group has had almost universal success across the board, leaving behind excuses to head toward improvement.
Southwest’s swimmers and divers have competed against schools with both established and successful programs and have never scored below third place at a competitive meet.
“We were really expecting to take an arrow to the knee this year,” said sophomore junior varsity swimmer Tristan King. “We didn’t go in expecting to do that well, with all our seniors gone, so we were all pleasantly surprised.”
Their records show the improvement. “I have to admit, the freshmen really helped there,” King said. “Most of them have been swimming for a long time outside of school and they were really prepared for competitive
swimming.”
Despite the sport’s reputation as a self-reliant sport, teamwork is major factor for success.
“I think team unity was really a big part of [our success],” said senior varsity diver Brian
Turner. “We have team dinners before every meet, where we can just talk […] things like that
really help us come together.”
Swimming, both at practice and at other events, creates an environment that builds
healthy competition.
“Sure, you’re competing against the other schools, but that’s kind of a backdrop,” Turner
said. “It’s mainly about how you challenge yourself – you’re competing against your teammates
and friends, and against yourself, that’s the main thing.”
“We’re a really close group, and that’s where most of the motivation comes
from,” King said.
The team is in the process of performing at the state competition, making it a natural time to reflect on the season as a whole.
“We definitely could have applied ourselves more at some things, but we got a lot better overall this year,” King said. “We’re happy because we improved, and that’s all we can really ask for.”