The swim girls are officially wrapping up the swim season on February 6 for sectional prelims and February 8 for Sectionals. Sectional prelims determine who will move onto sectionals. The top 16 will make it. The Lady Queenfish fought through a challenging yet rewarding season. The Lady Kings record is 11-3 and were the repeat Cass County Champions.
First Kennedy Mclaughlin, a junior on the swim team, gave insight on what she has learned from the seniors this year that will help her lead the team next year as a senior. Kennedy said it is important to have a good attitude at every practice and meet because it will make the season more enjoyable for everyone. She continued, “It is also good for the underclassmen to see positive role models in their sport, and to encourage them throughout the season.” For Sectionals Mclaughlin thinks most of the girls will PR (personal record) and that they will surprise themselves with how well they do. Kennedy personally hopes to make the finals in one of her individual events.
Next, Lewis Cass senior, Maryn Zeck shared her expectations for her final Sectionals meet and some memories over the course of the season. For sectionals week, the Lady Queenfish will begin to taper practices which is just less yards aiming towards a high heart rate with lots of rest. Maryn says that on top of taper, she just tries to keep herself in a, “…good mindset” and that she drinks so much water. Zeck’s favorite team-building Tuesday this season was egg roulette which finished with the seniors smashing eggs on the coaches. Finally, Maryn stated, “My favorite swim memory was breaking the 400 free relay record for the first time at the Hoosier Conference Meet. I was able to go under the minute for the first time in the relay which was a great accomplishment on top of the record.”
Sydney Holmquist, also shared her last season. During sectionals Sydney always makes sure to eat a healthy breakfast and get extra sleep. Holmquist’s favorite team bonding Tuesday was also the egg relay. When asked what her favorite memory is from swimming, Holmquist said, “I can’t choose a specific memory to be my favorite, but it has to be one made with the girls in my swim lane this year!”
Mia Hall, a sophomore on the swim team said, “The seniors this year have taught me to always be prepared and to have fun instead of stressing yourself out and you will get the outcome you´re looking for.” Hall´s favorite swim memory was getting McDonald’s breakfast for the first sectional-only practice. Mia is looking forward to swimming in the finals heat and getting an opportunity to place. She is hoping to place in the top 5.
Lastly, Lewis Cass senior, Keegan Minniear, talked about her final swim season, and how her hip surgery has affected it. Minniear’s injury has affected her season by not being able to go and do the things she was once able to do. Keegan’s favorite memory from swimming is her lane and the people she gets to swim with. When asked how she felt about this being her last sectional, Minniear said, “I wasn’t so affected about last night being my last sectionals till I went back and looked at pictures and realized I’ll never put on the suit and cap, and swim for the school with my best friends again so, in the end, it definitely made me really emotional.”
Good Luck to the Lady Queenfish and all the girls who advanced to the sectional finals on Saturday at Warsaw at 9 am!
