As winter draws to a close in its final, bitterly cold weeks, the swim team is entering the most intense part of its season. With less than three meets remaining in the season, the girls and boys are prepared to bring their all every practice and meet, showing hard work, determination, and dedication throughout the season. The conference meet blew by like a breeze, and the sectional meet is rapidly approaching. Swimmers have one last opportunity to not only push themselves against their opponents, but against their own limits and personal records. 

     Before the team fully turns their heads to gear up for sectionals, it is important to reflect on the amazing season they have had up to this point. The girls’ swimming team has had one of their best seasons to date, with their record being an astonishing nine wins and only two losses. While the boys’ record may not be as strong as the girls’, their hard work and improvement throughout the season show the grit they have all shown. The head coach for the boys’ team, Haley Ramer, stated, “This season has been a true season of brotherhood, growth, and improvement. With a strong group of first-year swimmers and divers, consistent improvement is being seen across the entire roster as each athlete continues to develop.” Not only have the new swimmers been improving, but the veteran swimmers are also making a lasting impact on the team, not only by dropping time but by showing their leadership and guidance to the rest of the team. 

     While swimming regular season meets, the time had finally come for the most important meet of the season, the Three Rivers Conference Meet at Maconaquah High School. With diving starting first bright and early, each diver was able to showcase their spectacular dives with incredible talent and skill. Girls’ head coach Mandy Hall explained how our diving team is the strongest it has been since she began coaching, as it is the first time the team has had three consistent divers. Hannah Penn, a senior, was the top diver at TRC for Lewis Cass, placing second. This is Hannah’s third year competing in the TRC, and her favorite part has been watching herself grow in her diving as the years go on. Not only did the divers have amazing performances on the board, but the swimmers were also just as impressive in the pool. The girls’ team had amazing swims against other schools with many podium finishes. Mia Hall, a junior, was the conference champion in both her individual events, and Kennedy McLaughlin and Madelyn Hillis contributed several points, placing as high as second in most of their races. The Lady Kings finished second overall as a team, falling short to the Maconaquah Braves. The boys’ team also had an amazing day, as there were a total of eighteen personal best times swum at the TRC meet. Jayden Ramer, a junior, was the conference champion in the 200 freestyle and tied the school record in the 100 freestyle with a podium finish. The boys placed fourth as a team with some of their best swims yet. Overall, the Kings performed very well at the annual conference meet and hope to improve greatly by next season.

     While the TRC conference meet may be over, swimmers are still looking ahead to the sectional meet in February. Practices are beginning to slow down, and the anticipation for the meet rises like never before. Head coach Haley Ramer explained how some of the team’s goals moving forward are to continuously drop time in events and maintain a strong work ethic. “The final two weeks of the season leading into sectionals are always demanding, both physically and mentally.” Since the girls have sectionals two weeks before the boys, the loss of them at practices means a large source of motivation is disappearing. However, as long as the boys push through like they have all season, their drive and momentum will help them finish the season strong. Jayden Ramer explained that his his main goal is to place in the top three to get on the podium and break the school record in the 100 and 200 freestyle. The girls’ sectionals are in around two weeks, and Mandy Hall is leading the girls in practices and workouts to make them as strong as possible for their final meet. She said, “I hope to see the same energy and determination the girls had at the TRC conference meet carry over into our training and preparation for sectional prelims and finals.” All the girls on the team are hoping to keep dropping time and swim personal records at the meet. Hannah Penn talked about how she always tries to have a positive mindset when going into the meet and how staying calm is the best thing you can do. Hannah said, “If I get too worked up or nervous, I don’t compete to my full potential.” 

     Overall, the swimmers are ecstatic for the final stretch of the season. Everyone is still working hard and putting in the hours in the pool to try to drop more time at the last big meet. After the season, the seniors will be greatly missed, but each and every swimmer is so thankful for the lasting impact the seniors have made on the team. Not only are they just a team, but they are also are a family. Wishing the best of luck to the swimmers and divers! Go Kings!