Greenmen Swim ready to make a splash

With the arrival of the cold and snow comes the start of a new swim season. This year, approximately 60 swimmers will represent the Greenmen at various meets throughout the winter.

The swimmers practice every day at the Hiram College Athletic Center. The team also works out at the high school weight room twice a week, and celebrates their hard work at team breakfasts every Saturday.

Coach Amanda Marlow says she is excited for the upcoming season, due to the fact the team has grown over the years. Four years ago there were 18 swimmers and divers-there are now nearly 70.

“We have a new group of freshman and sophomores who have joined the team who weren’t able to last year. This gives both sides a ton of depth and makes me excited for the promising season ahead,” said Marlow.

The team competes at meets nearly every week. Meets last about three hours, typically beginning at 6:30 and ending around 9. In this time, swimmers square off against other teams in races such as the 200 freestyle, 100 backstroke, and 50 freestyle. Most pools are measured in yards, though some are measured in meters.

“Swimming with friends at meets is a lot of fun”, said Sophomore Ava Lovell.

Many meets are duals, where the team competes against only one other school. However, they also compete at larger meets such as the Suburban League meet which occurs in January.

Swimmers may have different goals, but all wish to improve their skills this season. Lovell says she hopes to improve her 100 breastroke and 50 freestyle times this season, while Freshman Adam Killian hopes to earn a varsity letter. Junior Jane Puzder says she hopes to make it to the district meet.

While swimming is a difficult sport, it has the power to bring the team close together. Through the many hours spent practicing together and cheering each other on, deep bonds are formed that last much past the end of the season.

“I love being on the team, we are all a family”, Killian said.

Puzder agrees, saying “Swim is a great place to make close friends.”