Propelled by a trip to the regional championship and states last season, this year’s swim team began conditioning two months ago to prepare.  

“The team started lifting on Oct. 1, and we do a form of conditioning called dryland every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  We just started swimming in November,” said swim coach Laura Eldredge.

With about two-thirds of the team returning, they have been training with the mindset to exceed last year’s efforts.

“Our swimmers have a lot of leadership experience.  The team knows what it’s like to be successful. They’ve tasted it and want it again,” said Eldredge.

Last year, both the girls and boys teams placed second in their region and 17 swimmers went to states.

“I think our success last year will motivate us all the way,” said Eldredge.  “We now have the confidence to defeat teams who would have defeated us before.  We’re really trusting the process this year.”

The first swim meet of the season is Nov. 30, and the team has spent the past two months preparing.

“I usually push different swimmers harder for each event depending on who we’re racing against.  I move swimmers around while looking at the other team to see what we need that week,” said Eldredge.