The McNeil swim team had eight individual performances and all six relays, boys and girls, advanced to regionals at their district meet last Friday, Jan. 26. The swimmers have been preparing for this meet since August, being in both the pool and weight room every week.
“Going into the meet I felt ready and a little nervous,” sophomore George Hudson said. “Practice was pretty heavy for about three weeks out and the last week we started tapering down.”
To advance to regionals a swimmer has to make top six in their event. Freshman Addison Crail was seeded 10th in the 50 freestyle. She said she was very nervous going into the race but ended up making it to the top six and is now preparing for regionals.
“I looked at the girl next to me and knew she was faster than me and I just wanted to go faster than her,” Crail said. “I was very surprised (when finding out she made regionals). I didn’t completely comprehend it and I thought it was a mistake.”
In addition to the swim team success, the diving team had a diver place in Districts. Junior Kaitlin Chong joined the diving team last year. She previously had been a gymnast, making the transition to diving easier. She has had a successful season, placing in second at the diving districts last Thursday, Jan. 25.
“I had an idea where I’d place but I was still surprised and happy I got second,” Chong said. “I’m a little nervous for regionals, I have a little idea where I’m going to place but I honestly just want to have fun.”
When the meet information came out only two swimmers were seeded to maybe make it to regionals. The team knew going into the meet that they were in one of the fastest districts in the state. They were highly successful with over 40 personal best times made by the swimmers.
“This was a super positive group and they weren’t scared, they were excited to compete,” head swim coach Johnny Foss, said. “Instead of two qualifying we had eight individuals and our other goal was to get all six relays (to regionals). It’s just a huge weight off your shoulders to know that our hard work was worth something.”
Regionals are coming up next weekend Thursday, Feb. 8 – Saturday, Feb.10. The team’s next goal is to get some swimmers to finals and hopefully to state.
“This group has just been so fun,” Foss said. “They just had great energy. We were a smaller team than usual but these kids have just been unrelenting with positive and excited energy to swim for McNeil.”
